Minnesota families who have owned their farms for 100 years or more may apply for the 2016 Century Farms Program.

Produced by the Minnesota State Fair, in conjunction with the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, the Century Farms Program was created to promote agriculture and honor historic family farms in the state.

More than 10,000 Minnesota farms have been honored since the program began in 1976.

Family farms are recognized as Century Farms when they meet three requirements. 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)
•at least 50 acres.

State Fair, Farm Bureau accepting Century Farm applications

A commemorative certificate signed by State Fair Board of Managers president Sharon Wessel, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation president Kevin Paap and Gov. Mark Dayton will be awarded to qualifying families, along with an outdoor sign signifying Century Farm status.

Applications are available online at mnstatefair.org. Click the "Recognition Programs" link at the bottom of the home page. Or visit fbmn.org. Or call the State Fair at (651) 288-4400. Information also is available at statewide county extension and county Farm Bureau offices.

The submission deadline is April 1.

Recipients will be announced in May. Previously recognized families should not reapply.

Information on all Century Farms will be available at the Minnesota Farm Bureau exhibit during the 2016 Minnesota State Fair, which runs Aug. 25 - Labor Day, Sept. 5.

A Century Farm database is also available at fbmn.org.