DES MOINES –Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today reminded eligible farms that the deadline to apply for the 2009 Century and Heritage Farm Program is only one month away.  Applications must be postmarked by Monday, June 1, 2009, to receive recognition at the Iowa State Fair. “As generations of families gather at the Iowa State Fair, you see the rich legacy of Iowa Agriculture,” Northey stated.  “The program acknowledges the deep roots Iowans have with their families and the unique bond that exists between Iowa families and the land they farm.” This program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau and recognizes families that have owned their farm for 100 years in case of Century Farms and 150 years for Heritage Farms.    Last year 344 Century Farms and 67 Heritage Farms were recognized.  As a result, more than 16,200 farms have been recognized through the Century Farm program since it was created in 1976.  The Heritage Farm program was created just three years ago and has recognized 326 farms to date. The 2009 Century Farms Program ceremony will be held at the Iowa State Fair on Tuesday, August 18th, and the Heritage Farms Program ceremony will be held Thursday, August 20th. Farm families seeking to qualify for the Century or Heritage Farms Program must submit an application no later than June 1, 2009.   The application may be obtained online at: www.agriculture.state.ia.us/centuryFarmsProgram.asp and www.agriculture.state.ia.us/heritageFarmsProgram.asp. Applications may also be requested from Janet Lee, Coordinator of the Century Farm Program via phone at 515-281-5323, email, Janet.Lee@iowaagriculture.gov or write to: Janet Lee, Heritage or Century Farms Program, The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Henry A. Wallace Building, 502 E. 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319.  “Every Century and Heritage farm is a model of the persistence, stewardship, hard work, patience and dedication needed to make a farm work,” Northey said.  “It is an honor to recognize the Century and Heritage Farm recipients at the Iowa State Fair.”  - 30 -