Do you have a Century Farm?

The search is on again for Missouri farms that have been in the same family 100 years or more.

These farms will be recognized in the Missouri Century Farm program, which was launched in the bicentennial year of 1976 as the Missouri Centennial Farm program at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In the 1976 program, 2,850 Missouri farm owners were recognized as owning a centennial farm. The program was offered again in 1986 and over the past 14 years, some 2,818 farms have been honored through the Century Farms. Last year, 132 family farms joined. This year, a web site — http://outreach.missouri.edu/centuryfarm — includes the history of the program, guidelines and an application.

To qualify as a Missouri Century Farm, farms must meet the following guidelines. The farm must have been owned by the same family for 100 years or more as of Dec. 31, 2000. The family shall consist of direct descendants only. The farm must be at least 40 acres and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income.

Applicants certified as owners of 2000 Missouri Century farms will be recognized by their local University Extension in the county where the farm is located. Application forms and information are available through Extension Publications, 2800 Maguire Blvd., Columbia, MO 65211 or through your local Extension office. A $25 fee is required to cover the cost of certificates and farm signs for approved applicants. Checks should be made out to Missouri Century Farms and should accompany a completed application. If more than one sign is requested, add $10 for each sign. Applications must be returned by July 4, 2000.

The Missouri Century Farm program is jointly administered by the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and University Extension.

For further information, call your local Extension office or the University of Missouri Century Farm office at (573) 882-7216.