The Arkansas Agriculture Department (AAD) is now accepting applications for the 2019 Arkansas Century Farm program. This program identifies Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years.
Arkansas is home to more than 43,500 farms, of which 97 percent are family owned and operated. “Century Farm families have persevered challenges for at least ten decades and have contributed greatly in making agriculture in Arkansas the success story that it is today as our state’s largest industry with an economic impact of over $21 billion annually.” said Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward.
To qualify, Arkansas farms must meet the following criteria:
- The same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by Dec. 31, 2019. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage and adoption.
- The farm must be at least ten acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income.