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Missouri Century Farms

Farmer working the field with horses pulling plow

Honoring Founding Farms

In this year of our state’s bicentennial, we are recognizing a special category of Founding Farms — Century Farms that have been in the same family continuously since 1821 or earlier.

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Collage of old farm photos

Century Farms recognition

Landowners with farms that have been in the same family for 100 years can be recognized with signs, a certificate and a booklet. Application period will reopen in February 2022.

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Old photo of barn

State Historic Preservation Office

Barns, out buildings and even the fields nearby can tell us a lot about our past. Learn more about architectural surveys and other methods for keeping records of historic barns and farmsteads in Missouri.

Century farms and ranches have shaped our nation and state. In every kitchen, behind every barn door, and in every soiled and calloused hand lie stories of those who feed our nation. The Missouri Century Farm Program celebrates the lasting contributions farmers and ranchers have made to our country’s and state’s heritage.

In 1976, the Centennial Farm project was initiated in Missouri, awarding certificates to persons owning farms that had been in the same family for 100 years or more. Ten years later, the University of Missouri Extension and the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources created the annual Century Farm program and recognition. The Missouri Farm Bureau joined as a co-sponsor in 2008. Since the program began in 1976, more than 8,000 Missouri farms have received the Century Farm designation.

Thank you and congratulations to all the farm families who applied in 2021!

The next application period will open in February 2022.

A Missouri Century Farm sign that lists the family farm name and year the farm was established, as well as the program sponsors: University of Missouri Extension; College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; and Missouri Farm Bureau
Missouri Bicentennial 2021 logo
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