PA Agriculture Secretary honors Century, Bicentennial Farms

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Seven families who have been farming for more than 100 years and 200 years were recognized today by Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.

The century and bicentennial farms were honored at Ag Progress Days in Centre County, the state's largest outdoor agricultural event. The farms reflect the diversity of Pennsylvania agriculture and represent several generations of farm families.

 "Pennsylvania's history is rooted in agriculture," Wolff said. "From generation to generation, these farm families have been providing food and fiber for the citizens of Pennsylvania. They produce everything from milk to mushrooms and we salute them for their commitment and dedication to agriculture."

The Department of Agriculture has recognized more than 1,950 century and bicentennial farms, including 1,666 for more than 100 years of farming, and 285 for more than 200 years.

The century and bicentennial farms honored today were:

    -- John Morris and Kathleen Morris Miller Farm, 1786, Greene County

    -- Dale and Gloria Koehler, 1789, Northampton County

    -- Charles and Janice Graver Farm, 1804, Northampton County

    -- Edgar and Susan Bruce Farm, 1807, Armstrong County

    -- Barron and Lynn Stine Farm, 1813, Centre County

    -- Conrad E. Campbell Farm, 1834, Tioga County

    -- Carl and Diane Homan, 1906, Centre County

The Century and Bicentennial Farm Program was established to help publicize the strengths and durability of Pennsylvania's farm families. The program recognizes families who have been farming the same land for 100 years and 200 years.

To qualify for the program, applicants must meet certain criteria. The farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 or 200 consecutive years. A family member must live on the farm on a permanent basis and the farm must consist of at least 10 acres of the original holding, or gross more than $1,000 annually from the sale of farm products.

Application details are available online at http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us, click on 'Producers' or by calling 717-783-3167.