Governor announces newest Century Farms

LITTLE ROCK, AR – Governor Asa Hutchinson and Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward inducted 46 Arkansas farms into the Arkansas Century Farm Program at the State Capitol on Monday, Oct. 28th. 

The Arkansas Century Farm program recognizes Arkansas farms of 10 acres or more owned by the same family for at least 100 years. Arkansas Department of Agriculture began the Century Farm program in 2012 to highlight the contributions of these families to the agriculture industry as well as their overall contributions to our state. 

Agriculture is Arkansas’s largest industry, contributing more than $21 billion to the state’s economy annually and providing one in every six jobs in the state. Arkansas consistently ranks in the top 25 nationally in the production of more than 15 agricultural commodities. 

“How reassuring that we are adding more families to the Arkansas Century Farm Program,” Governor Hutchinson said. “Families who have held on to their farms for generations lend a sense of continuity in a time of frequent change. These families pass down more than the knowledge of farming. They are handing down love of family and an ethic of hard work as well as a love for the land.” 

Including the 2019 inductees, 464 farms are currently recognized as Arkansas Century Farms. The 46 newly inducted Century Farms are located in the following 30 counties: Arkansas, Benton, Clay, Conway, Drew, Faulkner, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Howard, Independence, Izard, Lawrence, Lincoln, Little River, Logan, Lonoke, Mississippi, Monroe, Nevada, Poinsett, Polk, Prairie, Scott, Searcy, Sebastian, Sharp, Stone, Union, and Woodruff. 

The Wiles Family Farm, established in 1889, from Polk County was among the Century Farms recognized.

The Beaty Old Homeplace, established in 1889, and Sehorn Farms, established in 1917, from Scott County were among the Century farms recognized.

Applications for the 2020 Century Farm Inductees will open in February. For questions about the Arkansas Century Farm program, contact Mary Elizabeth Lea at maryelizabeth.lea@agriculture.arkansas.gov

Find a complete list of all Arkansas Century Farms here.
Find the photo gallery of inductees with Governor Hutchinson here. 

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. Visit aad.arkansas.gov. 

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

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