Arkansas Century Farm program seeks applicants

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2020 Arkansas Century Farm program.

This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. Online and printable applications are available here. There is no cost to apply.

“Arkansas Century Farm families have persevered challenges for at least ten decades and have contributed greatly in making Arkansas agriculture the success story that it is today,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “As Arkansas’s largest industry, agriculture has an economic impact of over $21 billion annually and provides one of every six jobs in the state.”

To qualify, Arkansas farms must meet the certain criteria. The same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by Dec. 31, 2020. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage and adoption. The farm must be at least ten acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income.

Arkansas has more than 42,500 farms, of which 97% are family-owned and operated.

Since the Arkansas Century Farm program began in 2012, 464 farms have been certified. Find lists of previously inducted Arkansas Century Farm families at this link.