Century, Heritage Farm applications now accepted

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig invites eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for Century or Heritage Farm recognition as part of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Century and Heritage Farm Program.

The program was created by the Department and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to honor families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.

To be recognized in 2025, completed applications must be postmarked or received by the Department by June 1, said the Department of Agriculture in a press release.

The ceremonies honoring the 2025 Century and Heritage Farm families will be Aug. 14 in the historic Livestock Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair.

To apply, download and complete the application found on the Department’s website and return it to Century and Heritage Farm Program, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319.

Applications are also available from Kelley Reece, coordinator of the Century and Heritage Farm Program. Call 515-281-3645 or email kelley.reece@iowaagriculture.gov.

This is the 49th year of the Century Farm Program, which started in 1976 as part of the Nation’s Bicentennial Celebration, the press release says.

To date, more than 21,000 farms from across the state have received this distinction. This is the 18th year of the Heritage Farm Program and more than 2,000 farms have been recognized since this program began in 2006.

To search for previous Century and Heritage Farm recipients, visit the database on the Department’s website.