Century Farm applicants wanted
A reunion for families who have continuously operated a farm for 100 years or more is coming up this fall at the N.C. State Fair, and the N.C. Department of Agriculture’s Century Farm Program is looking for farms to join the program.
Currently, 1,950 farms are in the program, representing 97 of the state’s 100 counties. The fair hosts a reunion every four years. A reunion was planned for 2020 but will now take place Oct. 18 of this year instead, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Century Farm Program.
Century Farms represent a small fraction of the total 52,000 farms in North Carolina. To be eligible for the program, the farm must be in continuous ownership by a family for 100 years or more. This can be determined from an abstract of title or original records such as original deed or land patents. Other authentic land records may be acceptable in certain cases. Title to the property today must reside with a blood relative of the original owner, or a legally adopted child of the descendant. Continuous residence in the state or on the property is not required.
Applications are online at www.ncagr.gov/paffairs/century/application.htm. 919.707.3002.