Most Georgians are several generations removed from their family farm, but many can trace their family history back to a farm and may still have relatives farming the family home place.
The Coffee County Farm Bureau encourages owners of farms continuously operating for 100 years or more to apply to be recognized by the Georgia Centennial Farm Program. “Farms play an important role in Georgia history as they formed the economic, family and cultural foundation for many Georgia communities,” said Derek Pridgen, Coffee County Farm Bureau president. “Since farmers make up only about one percent of our country’s population, a farm that has been in operation for at least 100 years deserves the recognition the Georgia Centennial Farm Program offers. It represents the sustainability and continued growth of some of Georgia’s oldest farms. I encourage anyone whose farm meets the criteria for one of the three awards to apply.”
Applications for the 2019 awards must be postmarked by May 1. If you are interested in applying for recognition in 2019, visit http://georgiashpo.org/centennialfarms to download an application or contact Sara Love at 770-389-7856 or sara.love@dnr.ga.gov .
To qualify, your farm must be a working farm with a minimum of 10 acres actively involved in agricultural production and produce $1,000 in annual farm-generated income. The farm also must retain at least 10 acres of the original farm purchase. The program recognizes farms in one of three categories: The Centennial Heritage Farm Award honors farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more that are also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Centennial Family Farm Award recognizes farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more that are not listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Centennial Farm Award does not require continual family ownership, but farms must be at least 100 years old and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Each year, qualifying farms are recognized on the first Friday of the Georgia National Fair in Perry. During the awards presentation, farm owners receive a Georgia Centennial Farm certificate of honor signed by the governor. The award is administered by the Georgia Historic Preservation Division (HPD) in a partnership with the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation; Georgia Department of Agriculture; Georgia Forestry Commission; Georgia EMC and the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter.