Area Farms Recognized For 100 And 150 Years Of Family Ownership

One Brayton family received recognition as a Heritage Farm, joining 38 other area families who were awarded Century Farm status at this year’s Iowa State Fair. “The Century and Heritage Farm awards ceremony is one of my favorite days of the year,” says Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey. “It is a tremendous celebration of the families who have cared for the land and raised crops and livestock that helped build our state and feed the world.” Northey adds that 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. To qualify, a family must have owned at least 40 acres for 100 years to reach Century Farm status and 150 years for Heritage Farms. The Jerold and Valrae Bowen family in Audubon County were the only regional families to reach the Heritage Farm level. The other 38 farms receiving Century farm recognition can be found listed below. This year, there were 354 Century Farms and 119 Heritage Farms recognized at the Fair.