The Missouri Century Farm program’s history dates back to 1976 as a result of the Missouri Committee for Agriculture that was co-chaired by James B. Boillot, Director, Missouri Department of Agriculture, and Elmer R. Kiehl, Dean of the College of Agriculture, University of Missouri. The committee’s purpose was to organize the American Revolution Bicentennial celebration in Missouri. One activity that was initiated by the committee was the “Centennial Farm” project, which awarded certificates to persons owning farms that had been in the same family for 100 years or more. Interest in the program continued after 1976. The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and University of Missouri Extension planned a 10-year update in 1986 called the “Century Farm” program. This program has been sustained as a yearly event with over 100 farms recognized each year.
This year, MU Extension in Wright County recognized four century farm families. The Century Farm recipients are the families of Faye Courtney, Mitzi Campbell, Bill Henderson and Shelby Housley.
The Century Farm Families were presented their Century Farm signs at the MU Extension office in Wright County. “We enjoy being able to honor the amazing accomplishment of a Century Farm,” said Janice Weddle, County Engagement Specialist in 4-H Youth Development.
“We are open for Century Farm applications for 2021 now open through April. For more information on how to apply to be recognized as a Century Farm, call us at the MU Extension office in Wright County at 417-349-4134.”
