By Each year, South Dakota Farm Bureau and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources recognize farms and ranches that have been in the same family for 100 years or more.
“It is so exciting to meet these families and hear their stories,” said Julie King Fritzsche, who works with South Dakota Farm Bureau on the program. “I could talk to them forever.”
To qualify for this special recognition, a farm must be owned by a member of the same family for 100, 125 or 150 years; consist of at least 80 acres; and have proof of the date of purchase.
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Since the program began in 1984, 3,218 South Dakota Century Farms have been recognized. Of that total, 514 have been honored as Quasquicentennial Farms — those owned by the same family for at least 125 years. Those that have been in the same family for 150 years are recognized at Sesquicentennial Farms, and there have been 24.
Awards are presented each year at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron. The application form is available online at sdfbf.org/Get-Involved/Century-Farms. For more information or to have an application sent to you, call Fritzsche at 605-354 4885.
Return the form and documentation of the date of original purchase to the South Dakota Farm Bureau office by Aug. 1. Applications must be returned by mail. The address is 2225 S. Dakota Ave.; Huron, SD 57350.
Recognized families will be celebrated Thursday, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m. on the South Dakota Farm Bureau Dakotaland Stage at the state fair.
