Sesquicentennial Farm applications due April 1
Minnesota Farm Bureau's Sesquicentennial Farm program will honor Minnesota families who have owned their farms for at least 150 years.
More than 115 farms have been recognized since the program began in 2008. The program recognizes family farms according to the following qualifications:
- The farm must be at least 150 years old in 2010 according to the abstract of title, land patent, original deed, county land records, court file in registration proceedings or other authentic land records. Applicants should not send originals or copies of records.
- The family must have owned the farm for 150 years or more. "Family" is defined as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, first cousins and direct in-laws (father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law or son-in-law).
- Continuous residence on farm is not required, but ownership must be continuous.
- The farm should consist of 50 or more acres, and currently be involved in agricultural production.
A commemorative certificate signed by Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation President Kevin Paap, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson and Gov. Tim Pawlenty will be awarded to qualifying families, along with an outdoor sign signifying Sesquicentennial Farm recognition. Information on all Sesquicentennial Farm families will be available at the Minnesota Farm Bureau exhibit during the 2010 State Fair, Aug. 26 through Labor Day, Sept. 6.
Applications are available by writing Sesquicentennial Farms, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, P.O. Box 64370, St. Paul, MN 55164; e-mailing info@fbmn.org; or calling 651-768-2100. Applications are also available at www.fbmn.org. The deadline for application is April 1. Previously recognized families should not reapply.
The Minnesota Farm Bureau encourages county Farm Bureaus to work with county agricultural societies and county fair boards on local recognition of recipients. Recipients will be announced at the beginning of June.
Minnesota Farm Bureau is the state's largest general farm organization.