A few thousand people are being recognized at the Iowa State Fair today for having a farm in the family for over 100 years. T
he Century Farm program was launched at the 1976 Iowa State Fair and 5000 farms that had been in the same family since 1876 or earlier were recognized. Iowa Secretary of State Mike Naig notes that 50 years later, this year’s honorees are being recognized as the Fair marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, “and these fairgrounds are filled with red, white and blue,” Naig said, “reminding us of the enduring spirit that has defined Iowa and America for generations.”
Today’s nearly day-long ceremony is recognizing 274 Century Farms and another 240 Heritage Farms that have been in the same family for at least 150 years. The event is being held in the Iowa State Fair’s Livestock Pavilion which was built in 1902 and was the first major building on the fairgrounds. “I could not think of a better place to celebrate those families,” Naig said.
The name of each family and the location of their farm is being announced, then families step onto the stage for a commemorative photo and they’re handed a sign to put up at their farm showing it’s been in the same family for generations.