In 2014, the Ohio Department of Agriculture recognized 104 new century or bicentennial farms owned by the same family for at least 100 or 200 consecutive years. There are now more than 1,100 historic farms registered across the state.

The department recognizes the many social, economic and historic contributions made by Ohio's founding farm families. The Ohio Century Farm program was developed as a way to honor these families for their enduring legacy to our state. The Bicentennial designation was adopted into the program in 2013 to celebrate the growing number of families whose farms have met the 200-year milestone.

Register your historic farm

Qualified registrants receive an heirloom certificate signed by the Governor of Ohio and the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

Download and print the "Century Farm Registration Form" to apply for the Century Farm/Bicentennial Farm designation.

Registrants may choose to display the Century Farm yard sign. Contact the program manager for more information. Each family received a certificate signed by Governor John R. Kasich and Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David T. Daniels to keep with their historic documents and pass down to future generations.

"These historic farms are the foundation of Ohio's agriculture industry," says Daniels. "The families have withstood the test of time, often through adversity, to provide us with life's essentials. We owe them a debt of gratitude."

The Ohio Bicentennial and Century Farms program is a voluntary program administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The department has recognized families who have owned their farms for at least 100 years since 1993. In 2013, the department began officially recognizing bicentennial farms in acknowledgment of the growing number of century farms that had reached their 200-year anniversary of same-family ownership.

For a complete list of Ohio's bicentennial and century farms, visit the website:  www.agri.ohio.gov/divs/cent_farms/

Anyone who can verify that a currently owned farm has remained in their family for at least 100 years may register. For more information, visit www.agri.ohio.gov/divs/cent_farms/, or contact Cindy Shy in the Office of Communication at 614-752-9817 or [email protected].

Source: ODA