Ohio’s Agricultural Heritage REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (May 10, 2016) – The Ohio Department of Agriculture recognizes the social, economic, and historic contributions of Ohio’s family farms through its Ohio’s Historic Family Farms Program, which recognizes farms that have remained in the same family for at least 100 years. Over 1,800 farms are registered as Century, Sesquicentennial or Bicentennial Farms, with at least two farms represented in each of the state’s 88 counties.

In 1993, the department began collaborating with Ohio’s Country Journal and the Ohio Historical Society to administer the Outstanding Ohio Century Farm Program.  Annually, eight regional Outstanding Century Farms were announced at the Ohio State Fair, and one overall winner was unveiled at the Farm Science Review.In 2003, the department became the sole sponsor of the program, and the Outstanding Ohio Century Farm Program evolved into the Ohio Century Farm Program.  To recognize the special history of each of these farms, the department presented certificates signed by the governor and the director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture to all registered farm families.

In 2013, the department adopted the Ohio Bicentennial Farm title to distinguish those farms which had reached 200 years of same-family ownership. That year, the department began recognizing the Bicentennial Farm families at their local fairs.

The Ohio Sesquicentennial Farm designation was added to the historic farms program in 2016.

The department commissioned an official yard sign available to Century Farm owners in 2005, and a Bicentennial Farm sign was first offered in 2014. These signs are now displayed across the state.

Additional Information

Visit the Web site (Ohio’s Historic Family Farms Program) for more information, including a list of current Bicentennial and Century Farms and a downloadable registration form.  Assistance is also available from the department’s Office of Communication – agrcentury@agri.ohio.gov or 614-752-4505.