Nominations Now Accepted For Century, Sesquicentennial Farms In Oregon

The Oregon Century Farm & Ranch Program is now accepting applications for their 2021 century and sesquicentennial awards. To qualify, the original property has to have been in the same family for 100 or 150 years. Program Coordinator Andrea Kuenzi said the award began back in 1958 to honor Oregon's Ag industry and to start documenting the state's multi-generational farms. She noted in the early days, county commissioners and local government officials would simply send a check list through the mail. Now, items like deed records are required in the application process.

“So now the burden of proof is a little bit higher than it used to be in the first years of our program. But I think the goal all along was to tell Oregon's agricultural story and history."

Kuenzi added each approved family farm or ranch receives a roadside sign as well as a certificate from the Oregon Department of Agriculture that is signed by the governor.

"There's usually an awards ceremony at the Oregon State Fair every summer, but due to COVID this last summer we did not have a live ceremony. We're hoping for one this next summer."

To date, 1,235 Century farms have been recognized, while 47 family farms have received the Sesquicentennial Award.

This year’s application deadline is May 1^st. To learn more, check out OFB's Website.

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