The family is holding a reunion at Omakau this weekend to mark the anniversary of John and May Ball winning Devonshire Farm in a ballot 100 years ago.
Mr Ball was a blacksmith at Naseby when he hurt his back and was unable to continue in his trade.
Worried about how the family would survive, Mrs Ball went to a psychic who told her to enter the ballot for a farm and she would win one, and she did.
Their great-grandson, Stephen Brown, and his wife, Theresa, now run the 1770ha sheep and beef farm.
They have four children, Brittany (13), Jamie (9), Mitchell (6) and Zoe (2), and still live in the original house that was built on the farm, although a new one is planned.
Mr Brown describes Mrs Ball as a "real rattlesnake", despite being only about 150cm tall.
"She ran the farm and was in charge of everything and she did a great job," he said.
Carolyn Brown, of Omakau, who is the granddaughter of the original owners, and her husband, Jim, have spent the past five years organising the celebrations and preparing mementos of the event, including a 12-page calendar with photographs of work on the farm, some taken 90 years ago.
More than 80 people have gathered to take part in the celebrations, which began last night with a get together at the farm and a game of golf.
Today there will be a barbecue lunch and then a games afternoon.
On Sunday, a four-wheel-drive expedition will take the families on a tour of the Dunstan Ranges.
