PA Agriculture Secretary Honors Longstanding Centre, Schuylkill County Farms

To: STATE EDITORS

Contact: Nicole L. C. Bucher of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, +1-717-787-5085

Century, Bicentennial Farms Honored at Penn States Ag Progress Days

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Two families who have been farming for more than 100 years and 200 years, respectively, were recognized today by Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.

The century and bicentennial farms were honored at Penn States Ag Progress Days in Centre County, the states largest outdoor agricultural event. The farms reflect the diversity of Pennsylvania agriculture and represent several generations of farm families.

Pennsylvanias history is deeply rooted in agriculture, said Wolff. From generation to generation, these farm families have continued to produce wholesome food and fiber for the citizens of the commonwealth, helping Pennsylvanias thriving agricultural tradition remain viable for years to come.

The Department of Agriculture has recognized more than 1,960 longstanding farms, including 1,828 century and 137 bicentennial farms.

Rattlesnake Mountain Farm, owned by Charles and Linda Hall of Julian, Centre County, was designated as a bicentennial farm. The 200-acre hog-and-beef operation was founded in 1806 and is one of 34 century and bicentennial farms in Centre County.

The Bernard and Mary Rose Breiner farm in Tamaqua, Schuylkill County, was awarded the century farm designation. Established in 1908, the 360-acre poultry farm is one of 29 century and bicentennial farms in Schuylkill County.

The century and bicentennial farm program was established to help publicize the strengths and durability of Pennsylvanias farm families, and to recognize families who have been farming the same land for 100 and 200 years.

Besides a farm having to be owned by the same family for at least 100 or 200 consecutive years, a family member must live on the farm on a permanent basis to qualify for one of the designations and the farm must consist of at least 10 acres of the original holding, or gross more than $1,000 annually from the sale of farm products.

Application details are available online at www.agriculture.state.pa.us(click on Producers) or by calling 717- 783-3167.

CONTACT:

Nicole L. C. Bucher

(717) 787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

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