Minnesota farm longevity is again being recognized as families who have owned their farms for 100 years or more are invited to apply for the 2023 Century Farm Program.

Produced by the Minnesota State Fair in conjunction with the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, the Century Farm Program was created to promote agriculture and honor historic family farms in the state. More than 11,000 Minnesota farms have been honored since the program began in 1976.

Family farms are recognized as a Century Farm when three requirements are met. The farm must be: at least 100 years old according to authentic land records; in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years (continuous residence on the farm is not required); and at least 50 acres currently involved in agricultural production.

A commemorative certificate signed by Gov. Tim Walz; Joe Scapanski, the state fair board of managers president; and Dan Glessing, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation president, will be awarded to qualifying families, along with an outdoor sign signifying Century Farm status.

Applications are available online at on the Minnesota State Fair website, the Farm Bureau website, by calling the state fair at 651-288-4417, or at statewide county Extension and county Farm Bureau offices. The submission deadline is March 6. Recipients will be announced in the spring. Previously recognized families should not reapply.

Information on the Century Farm Program will be available at the Minnesota Farm Bureau exhibit during the 2023 Minnesota State Fair. A Century Farm database can be found online.

Sources: Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation