Dustin Vande Hoef
Communications Director
515/281-3375 or 515/326-1616 (cell)
or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov
DES MOINES –Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today encouraged eligible farms to apply for the 2010 Century and Heritage Farm Program. The 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.
Farm families seeking to qualify for the Century or Heritage Farms Program must submit an application no later than June 1, 2010.
“When you think of all the challenges and unexpected obstacles that face farmers each year, it gives you a greater appreciation of the dedication and perseverance of these families that have kept their farm in the same family for 100 or 150 years,” Northey said. “These awards are just a chance to recognize their hard work and commitment.”
Applications are available on the Department’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov by clicking on the Century Farm or Heritage Farm link under “Hot Topics.”
Applications may also be requested from Linda Rosky, Coordinator of the Century and Heritage Farm Program via phone at 515-281-3645, email at Linda.Rosky@IowaAgriculture.gov, or by writing to Century or Heritage Farms Program, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Henry A. Wallace Building, 502 E. 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319.
Recognition of the 2010 Century and Heritage Farm will be held at the Iowa State Fair again this year, but the dates have not yet been determined.
Last year 297 Century Farms and 66 Heritage Farms were recognized. As a result, more than 16,500 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 392 farms.
“Century and Heritage Farm recognitions at the Iowa State Fair are a great celebration of Iowa agriculture and the families that care for the land and produce our food,” Northey said. “I hope eligible families will take the time to apply and then come to the State Fair to be recognized.”
