A press release earlier this week from District 21 Sen. Bill Weber (R-Luverne) congratulated Minnesota family farms, including the five Century Farms in Senate District 21, that have been recognized as Century Farms and Sesquicentennial Farms by the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau. This program recognizes farms that have been in continuous ownership by a family for at least 100 years (Century Farm) or at least 150 years (Sesquicentennial Farm).
Century farms have been in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years and encompass 50 acres or more. Receiving the Century Farm honor is a momentous achievement, signifying a family’s commitment to preserving their land and way of life across multiple generations. Since the program began back in 1976, more than 11,000 Minnesota farms have earned this distinguished recognition.
The Sesquicentennial Farm designation is reserved for a rare and special group of farms that have remained in the same family for 150 years or more. To qualify, the farm must be at least 50 acres in size and actively involved in agricultural production.
In Senate District 21, the following Century Farms have been recognized this year:
Jackson County: Jackson – Gazda Family Farms, 1897; Lakefield – Bailey/Hass, 1924. Nobles County: Worthington – Kuhl Family Farm, 1896. Pipestone County: Jasper – Bill and Jody Brockberg, 1924. Watonwan County: St. James – Askeland Farm, 1917.
Recipients receive an outdoor sign designating the farm as a “Century Farm” or “Sesquicentennial Farm” and a certificate signed by the governor of Minnesota and presidents of the Minnesota Farm Bureau and the Minnesota State Fair. Information on the farm recipients will be available at the Minnesota Farm Bureau exhibit during the State Fair.
