Arkansas Century Farm program accepting applications

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) 718 views 

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the 2022 Arkansas Century Farm program. This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years.

“Arkansas Century Farm families have persevered 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 contributes $19.4 billion to the state’s economy annually and provides one in six jobs.”

Online and printable applications are available at this link. Applications must be received via email or postmarked on or before May 31, to be eligible for designation as a 2022 inductee. There is no cost to apply for the program.

Qualifying Arkansas farms will receive a personalized Arkansas Century Farm certificate and metal sign listing the farm name and year established. Contact Beth Moore at 501-539-4027 or [email protected] with questions.

Arkansas is home to more than 42,200 farms, of which 96% are family owned and operated.

Since the program began in 2012, 526 farms have been certified. Find a list of previously inducted Arkansas Century Farm families at this link.

To qualify, the same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by Dec. 31.

The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage or adoption. The farm must be at least ten acres of the original land acquisition and make financial contributions to the overall farm income.