Larry Peterson was a life-long farmer and rancher. Larry and Carolyn married in 1963 and moved to the family farm in February of 1967, where they worked side by side for more than 50 years building a successful family operation. In 1998, the Peterson Family received the AKSARBEN Nebraska Pioneer Farm Family Award for 100 years of family ownership. They took great pride in seeing the farming legacy carried on to the next generation. “Buy Dirt” was the farming advice Carolyn always gave her family.
Because of this desire to instill a love of agriculture in youth, they helped organize the Tail Twisters 4-H Club in 1977. Throughout their lives they continued to be strong supporters of 4-H and FFA programs.
Due to Larry's farming business and background, he was an organizing member of the Quality Pork Coop. He saw the need to be involved with the Dawson County Spare Rib Club and the Dawson County Cattlemen's organization. In 2013, he was an inductee into the Dawson County Cattlemen’s Hall of Fame.
After organizing the Tail Twisters 4-H Club, Carolyn spent many years helping youth write and practice their 4-H speeches. After her years as a 4-H Leader ended, she continued to support the 4-H program by working at the 4-H Café and attended as many 4-H events as possible. If you happened to just drop by the farm, cookies and coffee were always ready.
ABOUT THEIR FAMILY
Larry and Carolyn had four children Stephanie (Vaughn) Ross, Crystal (Todd) Fangmeier, Page (Karen) Peterson and Paul (Shannon) Peterson. They also had ten grandchildren Justin (Jincy), Amber & Reagan Ross, Morgan (Jared) Segner, Colton & Alanna Fangmeier, Patrick & Evan Peterson, and Savannah & Emma Peterson. Continuing the Peterson legacy are two great-grandchild- Kamden Segner and Stella Ross.
The grandchildren have all shown livestock in 4-H and FFA. It is joked that the Nebraska State Fair is the annual family reunion.