Friends and neighbors,
Minnesota boasts a rich agricultural heritage, the backbone of which is our tradition of family-owned farms – more than 85% of all farms in Minnesota are small individual and family operations. These farms play a vital role in supporting rural communities and preserving our agricultural legacy.
Among these family farms, a special group stands out – those that have operated continuously for 100 and 150 years. To acknowledge their longstanding contributions, the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau bestow prestigious “Century Farm” and “Sesquicentennial Farm” designations on these multi-generational farms.
- Century farms have been in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years and encompass 50 acres or more. Receiving the Century Farm honor is a momentous achievement, signifying a family’s commitment to preserving their land and way of life across multiple generations. Since the program began back in 1976, over 11,000 Minnesota farms have earned this distinguished recognition.
- The Sesquicentennial Farm designation is reserved for a rare and special group of farms that have remained in the same family for 150 years or more. To qualify, the farm must be at least 50 acres in size and actively involved in agricultural production. Just imagine – these families have nurtured the same land through the Civil War era, two World Wars, the Great Depression, and every other national and global event over the past century and a half.
This year’s honorees embody the values that have made Minnesota agriculture so resilient and robust over the generations – values like hard work, perseverance, and the commitment to family farming for generations to come.
My heartfelt congratulations go out to these exceptional multi-generational farm families for their unwavering dedication. They serve as a true inspiration!
Sincerely,
SESQUICENTENNIAL FARMS
Fillmore County
- Peterson – Benson Family Farm, 1873
- Peterson – Steven and Jody Highum, 1873
CENTURY FARMS
Houston County
- Spring Grove – Sylling Farm, 1891