Celebrating 50 years of Bish Enterprises
Bish Enterprises is commemorating its 50th anniversary May 1 with an open house in Giltner, Nebraska. Founded in 1976 as Harv’s Farm Supply, the company was built on the principle of creating practical solutions for farmers.
That mindset has guided its growth ever since.
Guests will have the opportunity to tour the facility and connect with the team behind the company’s work during the open house. The event runs from 4 to 8 p.m. CT at the Bish Enterprises North Shop, 608 South D Road in Giltner, and is open to the public. Attendees are asked to RSVP by April 20.
The evening will include music, refreshments, brief remarks and recognition of founder Harvey “Harv” Bish.
What began as a local farm supply business in central Nebraska has grown into a manufacturer serving agricultural markets across the United States and international markets. Early equipment adaptations in the late 1970s helped establish the company’s reputation for practical problem-solving and set the stage for decades of innovation in harvesting equipment.
A turning point came in 1976, when Farm Industry News published a story on Harv’s adapters that generated 1,440 written inquiries and about as many phone calls from across the United States, helping launch the company’s growth beyond Nebraska.
“When I started Harv’s Farm Supply, I wasn’t trying to build a big company,” said founder Harv Bish. “I just wanted to build equipment that made work a little easier for farmers. I’m proud of what it has become, and even more proud of the people who carried it forward.”
Brad Bish, son of founder Harv Bish, joined the company in 1983 and played a key role in its growth as Bish Enterprises expanded from a small shop operation into a manufacturer known for large-scale custom equipment builds. In 1991, he helped develop the company’s first 16-row, 20-inch corn head, an early milestone in its expansion into larger, more advanced harvesting equipment.
“What’s always driven us is the willingness to try something new and build what hasn’t been built before,” Brad Bish said. “From those early record-setting headers to the work we’re doing today, it’s always been about finding better ways to serve the needs of farmers.”
Today, Bish Enterprises continues under the leadership of chief operating officer Andrew Bish, son of Brad and Christy Bish, guiding product development and long-term growth. He also launched Hemp Harvest Works, expanding the company’s reach into equipment solutions for emerging agricultural markets. Members of the fourth generation of the Bish family are also beginning to work at the company, continuing its family legacy.
“Bish Enterprises has always grown through innovation driven by real agricultural needs,” Andrew Bish said. “In my role today, my focus is on continuing that approach while advancing equipment design and exploring new opportunities in the industry. The next 50 years will require the same practical innovation that got us here today.”
That legacy of practical innovation continues through harvesting equipment, custom fabrication and ongoing product development, including recent national recognition for the FiberCut 414 from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
Bish Enterprises’ 50-year milestone will be celebrated with an open house that brings together customers, partners and community members to recognize the company’s history and its lasting impact on agricultural equipment.
All are invited to attend and take part in the celebration. RSVP at https://forms.office.com/r/tjQnB05w9e or email [email protected].
For more information about Bish Enterprises, see a dealer or visit BishEnterprises.com.
