Applications open for Century, Heritage farms in Iowa

ROWLEY, Iowa (KCRG) – A program celebrating Iowa’s farmers is now accepting applications. One of the main criteria: a farm must have been in the same family for at least a century.

“There’s not many people that can say that they live in a house that their great-great-grandfather built,” said Jason Orr, a fifth-generation farmer from Rowley.

His farm has been recognized as a Century Farm, one owned by a family for 100 years.

“When I moved in here, it was something pretty special to my grandpa because this is where his mom grew up,” said Orr.

Century Farms have been recognized by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship each year since 1976. In 2006, the program added the Heritage Farm award for those that make it to 150 years.

“When do we actually start to recognize the the 200 year farms? You know, so we’re not there yet. But that’s a conversation coming,” said Brent Johnson, President of the Iowa Farm Bureau.

The Iowa Farm Bureau helped create the Century and Heritage Farm program. He said, since 1976, more than 21,000 Century Farms have been recognized.

As many as there have been over the years, the current number of family farms is smaller than it used to be.

A survey from Iowa State University looking at farms from 1982–2022 said there has been a shift away from sole ownership or joint tenancy to trusts and corporations.

“It has been decreasing. I mean…there’s certainly been sales and mergers and whatnot along the way,” said Johnson. “So I would say that’s true, to some degree.”

Time has changed Iowa’s farms, but Orr said the fact that these farms have endured so many changes is what makes them special.

“All in all, farming is pretty—it’s a humbling occupation,” said Orr. “And then to stand here and think about all the blood, sweat, and tears that have gone in to get us to this point…it’s pretty special.”

Applications are due before June 1. You can more details here.

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