This story is the third of five profiles of the people selected as the DTN/Progressive Farmer's 2026 America's Best Young Farmers and Ranchers program. Today, we introduce D.J. and Chelsea Hladky, of Ainsworth, Nebraska.

See D.J. and Chelsea Hladky's America's Best Young Farmers and Ranchers video profile at https://bcove.video/…

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Balancing a family and farm life in the Sandhills of north-central Nebraska doesn't come easy for farmers D.J. and Chelsea Hladky. Yet, they have created a family-oriented operation near Ainsworth in which every family member -- down to the youngest -- plays a part. "Together" is a word the family values as they navigate the restless pace of each season on their 5,000-plus-acre operation spread across Rock and Brown counties.

EARLY DAYS

Coming from a long line of farmers, D.J. was introduced to farming when his father, Dan, who was born and raised in the Kansas City metropolitan area, thought the Sandhills would provide a better life for his growing family. They started farming near Long Pine, Nebraska, about 10 miles east of Ainsworth. Eventually, Dan was able to secure his own operation.

Throughout his childhood, D.J. saw his father pour everything into farming: long summers, constant management and countless hours of work. After high school, D.J. enrolled at Northeast Community College, in Norfolk, Nebraska, to study business and finance. In a first-semester English class, he met his future bride, Chelsea.

She eventually moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, to pursue a degree in nursing in 2006. A few months later, D.J. followed with his business degree and a job working for a financial institution. But the momentum for a desk job was short-lived. "It didn't take me long to realize that a desk job was not for me," he says.

Instead, he joined the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, working eight days on and six days off between Lincoln, Nebraska, and Gillette, Wyoming, a nearly 650-mile highway stretch.

While he enjoyed the railroad, D.J. began to change his outlook on the farm. A year later, he started farming on the side with his dad.

"The railroad made me realize that life on the farm wasn't so bad," he says. "I would work eight days in Wyoming, come back to the farm in Long Pine and go back to see Chelsea in Lincoln for two days."

TIME TO FARM

D.J. rented his first acres in the spring of 2008 on a 130-acre tract shared 50-50 with his father. The more time he spent farming, the clearer his path became. As Chelsea finished nursing school, D.J. recognized that he wanted to commit to full-time farming.

In the spring of 2010, the two bought a house and moved to Ainsworth. Chelsea had taken a job locally, and more of their future fell into place.

Aug. 30, 2010, was D.J.'s last day on the railroad. Ten days later, the two married. For the next nine years, D.J. farmed full time with his father in separate operations, sharing equipment and labor.

In 2019, D.J. and Chelsea made the decision to branch out on their own: D.J. & Chelsea Hladky Farms was official. The split from his dad's operation was amicable -- the two were moving at different paces.

"My dad had done nothing but worked solid for 35 years; he was ready to slow down and enjoy life a little bit more. I was on the ramp-up mode trying to expand acres. We had a lot of decisions to make," D.J. explains.

Starting out, D.J. and Chelsea owned one semitruck, one tractor and other equipment. The couple rapidly secured more acres and even turned some down because of equipment capacity.

"We weren't where we needed to be to farm the acres we were able to pick up," D.J. points out. "We had to obtain our own equipment line, and for the first few years, most of the work was done by Chelsea and myself, along with some seasonal help."

Luckily, interest rates were lower before the COVID-19 pandemic, and they had the backing of a supportive financial officer. "It would be a lot more challenging if it were to happen today," he says.

SANDHILLS CHALLENGES

The Sandhills' sandy, fragile soil presents challenges raising corn and soybean crops, often resulting in widely variable yields. Monitoring for weather changes, the Hladkys also keep a close eye on their irrigation systems, as the Sandhills sit atop the massive Ogallala Aquifer.

"It's very normal for us to make 16 rounds with our irrigation systems every year," D.J. explains. "We have farm ground that can get an inch of rain, and we are already starting to apply water the next day in the heat of the summer. Around here, (our soils can produce, but) we have to spoon-feed our crops and make nitrogen applications throughout the season."

With soil variability spread across two counties, the Hladkys use full tillage, minimum tillage and no-till practices, depending on the field.

"We have to do everything we can to make each acre as productive as possible," he says. "Changing our management practices to individualize each acre changed everything for us. Variable-rate irrigation, fertilizer and planting are some of the things we do in addition to fertility and grid-sampling overlaid with production maps."

Cover crops such as rye, radishes and turnips help the farm maintain and improve organic matter, prevent wind erosion and suppress weeds in the sandy region.

FARM-FAMILY BALANCE

The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Adeline, to the farm in 2013. Briggs was born in 2015, Emery in 2018 and Gus in 2022.

Like most farmers, the Hladkys see farm-family balance as a challenge. Despite the challenges of row-crop farming in the Sandhills, D.J. says he feels blessed to farm. However, he readily admits it takes away from a vibrant family life, something he struggles with.

"The greatest challenge in my life is that I'm always busy and always in a hurry. I don't take the time to sit back and enjoy things the way I'd like to," D.J. adds. "It's almost like -- at certain times of the year -- Chelsea is raising children by herself, and that's difficult."

To help deal with his time challenge, D.J. and Chelsea do things together -- both farming and leisure -- when possible. During slower winter seasons, the family takes vacations to "make up for lost time," D.J. says. "I miss out on a lot of time with my family."

Currently, Chelsea works one day a week as a nurse at Ainsworth Community Schools, which allows D.J. and his children to spend time together. When D.J. is watching the kids, their time is often coupled with work, but they enjoy it.

"I love mostly watching my dad drive the combine," Emery says. "I feel like he does good."

"I love riding in the big tractors," Gus adds.

"Our kids come with us a lot while we are working the farm," D.J. explains. "I have pictures of Adeline running a 1,300-bushel grain cart and driving a 380-horsepower tractor at age 10. Our children love irrigating and riding on the Ranger while we check systems."

While the kids get a healthy dose of agriculture, they also see the dedication their parents have to the farm. At the same time, they may see the downsides: financial burdens, stress and time away from the family, Chelsea says.

PUMPKIN BUSINESS

By accident, the family stumbled into a new business. One fall, after finishing carving pumpkins, they dumped the pulp and seeds in a field. The following year, the plants sprouted and grew, so they decided to start selling pumpkins through a business called 4HF. The acronym stands for the four Hladky children, and HF for Hladky Farms.

Supplying the area with locally grown carver and decorative pumpkins, the business teaches the kids entrepreneurship and good business practices. From planting and harvest to marketing, the children are strategic, save their earnings and evaluate best practices at the end of each season.

Led mostly by the oldest, Adeline, everyone has a part in 4HF. "I'm learning how to set goals and achieve them. How to run a business. Entrepreneurship. I learn a lot," she says. "I love selling pumpkins. I love spending time with my brothers; my mom helps a lot, my dad does, too."

It's definitely a family affair. D.J. tills the ground. Adeline and Chelsea poke the holes in the dirt. Briggs drops the seeds in. Emery covers them, and Gus stomps on the soil.

"The community has been very supportive of it," Chelsea points out. "The kids have learned the ups and downs of the business -- some years you get a good yield; some years you don't."

And, then there's the other side to the business. "When we get to carve pumpkins, it's really fun," Briggs says.

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Editor's Note: This is the third of five profiles of our 16th class of America's Best Young Farmers and Ranchers sponsored by DTN/Progressive Farmer. They are among the best of their generation who have chosen agriculture as a profession and lifestyle. The annual award recognizes five farmers and ranchers under 40 who best represent the pioneering promises of American agriculture: Farmers and ranchers who are innovative, imaginative and who work to improve their communities. Nominations are judged on the operations' overall business plan, as well as the farmers' involvement in the community and the ag industry. We're already seeking nominations for our 2027 class. If you know someone (you can nominate yourself or family member) or would like more information and a nomination form, contact Progressive Farmer Senior Editor Dan Miller at dan.miller@dtn.com and cc DTN Social Media and Young Farmers Editor Susan Payne at susan.payne@dtn.com.

See more in the series:

-- America's Best Young Farmers/Ranchers-1, "The Weight of Legacy on Young Arkansas Farmers," https://www.dtnpf.com/….

-- America's Best Young Farmers/Ranchers-2, "Make Memories on the Farm," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

To hear more about this year's class, check out DTN's Field Posts podcast, Episode 275: 2026 Best Young Farmers and Ranchers at https://www.dtnpf.com/….

Susan Payne can be reached at susan.payne@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @jpusan

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