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The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is encouraging eligible producers to take part in the Century and Heritage Farm program, which highlights the history behind Iowan agriculture. Sponsored by both IDALS and the Iowa Farm Bureau, the program began in 1976 and since then, has awarded over 17,000 Century Farm Awards for farms kept in the family for 100 years or more, and over 500 Heritage Farm Awards for farms maintained for 150 years or longer.
Farm families with a farm that’s been in the family for a century or longer have until June 1 to apply for either the Century Farms Program or the Heritage Farms Program through the IDALS website.
Families can also phone program coordinator Becky Lorenz at 515-281-3645, by email at Becky.Lorenz@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.
Iowa Department of Agriculture Communication Director Dustin VandeHoef, above, says it’s worth applying, just to recognize the obstacles families have had to keep the same farm in the family over several generations.
