Search Is On For Century Farms In Southwest Missouri
SPRINGFIELD, MO.
If your farm has been in your family since Dec. 31, 1919, you can apply to have it recognized as a Missouri Century Farm.
To qualify, farms must meet the following guidelines. The same family must have owned the farm for 100 consecutive years. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage or adoption. The farm must be at least 40 acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income.
“Family farms have been among our most vital partners since the founding of extension more than 100 years ago. The century farm program is one way we express our gratitude to those who have contributed so much to Missouri agriculture,” said David Burton, county engagement specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
In 2008, the Missouri Farm Bureau joined MU Extension and the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources as a program sponsor.
Applicants certified as owners of a 2019 Missouri Century Farm will be recognized by the local MU Extension center in the county where the farm is located. Applicants are presented with a sign and a certificate.
Since Missouri began the program in 1976, more than 8,300 century farms have been recognized.
All applications must be postmarked by May 15, 2019, to be considered.
The Missouri Century Farm program started taking applications Feb. 1. All applications must be postmarked by May 15. Details and a downloadable application form was available beginning Feb. 1 at extension.missouri.edu/centuryfarm.
GREENE COUNTY RECOGNITION
Newly recognized Century Farms in Greene County will be celebrated at the 6th Annual “Salute to Century Farms” event being planned for September.
“Last year’s event was a big success, it was popular with our Century Farm owners, and it was a good fundraiser for Greene County Extension,” said David Burton, county engagement specialist for University of Missouri Extension. ∆