Iowa Department of Agriculture and Farm Bureau celebrated families that have owned a farm for 100 years or 150 years
DES MOINES –Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey recognized Century and Heritage Farm families during a ceremony Aug. 20 at the State Fair. To qualify, a family must have owned at least 40 acres for 100 years or more in the case of Century Farms and 150 years or more for a Heritage Farm.
This year 366 Century Farms, including 10 in Greene County, and 101 Heritage Farms were recognized.
“Being able to recognize these farm families is one of my favorite days of the year. This award is a tremendous celebration of the families who have cared for the land and raised the crops and livestock that helped build our state and feed the world. To own a farm for 100 or 150 years is a testament to the values of land stewardship, hard work, patience, dedication and perseverance that are found in Iowa’s farm families,” Northey said.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has partnered with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation since 1976 to recognize families that have owned and worked a farm for 100 years or more. Including this year’s recipients, more than 18,600 farms from across the state have been recognized.
The Heritage Farm program was started in 2006, on the 30th anniversary of the Century Farm program and now 837 farms have been recognized.
The 2015 Century and Heritage Farms Program ceremony was held at the Iowa State Fair in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion. Joe Heinrich, vice president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (right in photos) and Northey (left in photos) recognized all award recipients.
Recognized but without a photo available Arlene Klatt with three farms northwest of Scranton and Mike Piepel, Jack Piepel, Becky Sisca Piepel and Peggy Stevens Piepel, 1231 K Ave, Jefferson.
