Jerry and Emma Weistart, Chillicothe, proudly display a new sign on their family farm this fall: Sesquicentennial Farm. Tucked right next to the Spoon River in Peoria County, the farm is deeply rooted in history, dating back to Colonial times with the discovery of American Indian funeral mounds in 1879. 

The farm became part of Emma’s family when it was purchased by Elder Aby in 1865. It was passed on to his daughter, Emma Abby, when she married Richard Biederbeck. The farm then transferred to Richard and Emma's daughter, Hazel Marie. Jerry and Emma purchased the farm from Hazel and her husband, Fred H. Juers. 

A LOOK BACK: Elder Aby, Emma Weistart’s ancestor and original owner of the Weistarts' Sesquicentennial Farm, stands in front of his home with his wife and child. (Photo: Weistart family, Illinois Centennial Farms book)

Today, Jerry and Emma’s son, Jerome J. Weistart, lives on the homestead, and their other three children, William Scott Weistart, Karen Hornick and Jennifer Jotch, have a continued interest in the farm, making it a fifth-generation farm. 

The Weistart family farm is one of more than 800 Sesquicentennial Farms in Illinois. According to Karen Fraase, Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Sesquicentennial Farm program began in 2001. The Centennial Farm program was launched in 1972 and has more than 9,100 registered farms.

“The Centennial and Sesquicentennial Farm program is a voluntary recognition program,” Fraase explains. IDOA receives 175 to 200 Centennial Farm applications every year.

Fraase adds the program expanded this year. Gov. Bruce Rauner recently signed into law a bill (H.B. 5790) allowing IDOA to recognize bicentennial farms. Applications for the new 200-year farm designation program will be available soon.

PIECE OF HISTORY: Jerry and Emma Weistart’s son, Jerome, lives in the home built by Elder Aby on the family's Sesquicentennial Farm. This is the farmhouse today after remodeling. (Photo: Weistart family)

Jerry says the Sesquicentennial Farm designation process only took a few months; they applied in March and received approval notification in May. The farm was previously designated a Centennial Farm, so they were required to provide proof from the title company that nothing had changed and the farm was still part of the Weistart family.

Fraase says families seeking Centennial or Sesquicentennial Farm designation can locate the appropriate forms on the IDOA website. “These forms request information regarding the present owner and location of the farm, a listing of ancestral owners, and third-party verification of records proving lineal or collateral descent,” she explains. “A recognized title searcher — such as an abstractor, an attorney or a county recorder of deeds — can verify lineal descent.”

The cost to apply for Centennial or Sesquicentennial Farm designation is $50. Upon approval, the farm owners will receive a sign for the farm, a certificate verifying the designation and an IDOA-issued press release.

A SIGN OF PRIDE: A new Sesquicentennial Farm sign proudly stands at the Weistarts' farm. (Photo: Weistart family)

And every year, newly designated Centennial and Sesquicentennial Farm owners are invited to celebrate at a gathering during Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair.

“We’re so pleased,” says Jerry, as he talks about the family farm. “It’s an honor.”

Search for Illinois Centennial Farms and Sesquicentennial Farms on the IDOA website.

Check out these tables to see some of the oldest farms in Illinois.