At the Pickaway County Fair opening ceremony, the Ohio Department of Agriculture honored three local families who have maintained their farms for more than 200 years. The following families will be recognized:
Ohio’s Century Farm program was started in 1993 to honor families who have maintained their farming operations in the same family for at least 100 years. In 2012, the program was changed to Ohio’s Century and Bicentennial Farm program, to honor families who have maintained their farm for at least 200 years. There are currently 64 bicentennial farms in the state. Ohio has more than 1,000 Century or Bicentennial Farm families registered, spanning all 88 counties.
These families are an important part of Ohio’s history, as well as the state’s current and future economic success. Ohio’s food and agriculture industry adds $105 billion to the economy each year and provides one in seven Ohioans with jobs.