As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is inviting eligible farm families to apply for recognition through the state’s Century and Heritage Farm Program.
The program, administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in partnership with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, honors families who have owned their farms for 100 and 150 years, respectively. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Century Farm Program, created in 1976, and the 20th anniversary of the Heritage Farm Program, launched in 2006. More than 21,000 Century Farms and 2,000 Heritage Farms have been recognized statewide.
Applications for 2026 recognition must be postmarked or received by June 1, 2026. Honorees will be recognized Aug. 20, 2026, at the Livestock Pavilion during the Iowa State Fair.
Applications are available at iowaagriculture.gov or by contacting program coordinator Kelley Reece at 515-281-3645.
