Georgia Market Bulletin Blog: Georgia Centennial Farm Program Honors 26 Operations in 2013

Originally published in the Oct. 16, 2013, issue

For more than 20 years, the Georgia Centennial Farm Program has recognized farms that have been in operation for 100 years or more. This year, 26 farms from across the state were recognized at a luncheon on Oct. 4 at the Georgia National Fair.

Many of the 26 Centennial Farm honorees were present to be
recognized at a luncheon on Oct. 4 at the Georgia National
Fair. Photo courtesy Historic Preservation Division

To qualify for the awards, farms must be in operation with at least 10 acres actively involved in agricultural production. Annual farm income must be at least $1,000 and 10 acres of the original farm purchase must still be in use, said Charlie Miller, Centennial Farm Committee chairman.The program is a partnership between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Historic Preservation Division, Georgia Farm Bureau Federation, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Forestry Commission and Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter.

The awards are given in three categories: Centennial Heritage Farm, Centennial Farm and Centennial Family Farm. To qualify as a Centennial Farm, a farm must be at least 100 years old and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Heritage Farm honorees must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places and have been owned continuously by members of the same family for 100 years or more. Family Farms do not have to be registered as historic, but must have been continuously owned by family members for at least 100 years.

Twenty-four of the 26 honorees this year are in the Centennial Family Farm category.

“I think for a farm to be in the same family for 100 years or more is quite an achievement nowadays,” Miller said.

Click the links below to view photos of each farm, courtesy of the Centennial Farm Program.

Georgia Centennial Heritage Farm

Boring and Brooks Estate, Banks County

Georgia Centennial Farm

Fannin-Cooper Farm, Paulding County

Georgia Centennial Family Farm

Troy and Nellie Jo Spicer Farm, Berrien County

Alderman Family Farm, Bulloch County

Norris Chester Mattox Sr. Farm, Clinch County

Oak Hill Farm, Cook County