The Arkansas Agriculture Department is accepting applications for the 2018 Arkansas Century Farm program.
Arkansas Century Farm families have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. Since the program began in 2012, there have been 376 farms certified.
Arkansas has more than 43,500 farms, with more than 97 percent being family owned and operated, according to a news release.
“When families are strong, our communities are strong, and our state is strong,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson told farm families at the 2017 Arkansas Century Farm Inductee Ceremony at the State Capitol.
To qualify, Arkansas farms must meet the following criteria:
• The same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by Dec. 31, 2018. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage and adoption.
• The farm must be at least 10 acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income.
There is no cost to apply for the Century Farm program, and any farm landowners may apply.
Applications must be postmarked by May 31 to be eligible for designation as a 2018 inductee farm. Online and printable applications are available at http://www.aad.arkansas.gov/arkansas-century-farm-program .
Details: Mary Elizabeth Lea at 501-683-4851 or Maryelizabeth.Lea@aad.ar.gov .
Find lists of previously inducted Century Farm families at http://www.aad.arkansas.gov/arkansas-century-farm-program .