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Pennsylvania Ag News Headlines
Bicentennial and Century Farms Honored by Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Ag Connection - 08/17/2018

On behalf of Governor Tom Wolf, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding Thursday honored the Gregory and Judith Croner family, whose farm in Somerset, Somerset County has been in their family for more than 200 years. He designated their farm as a Pennsylvania Bicentennial Farm. Redding also presented Century Farm awards to David and Donna Fenstermaker of Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, and to Oscar and Winifred Campbell of Newport, Perry County, whose farms have been in their families for 100 years.

The recognition ceremony was held during the Penn State College of Agricultural Science's annual Ag Progress Days.

"The family farm is at the heart of our $137.5 billion agriculture and food industry," said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. "These families have had the fortitude and skills to weather challenging economic times, and have kept their farms in agricultural production. They deserve our gratitude and respect for their stewardship of a valuable and irreplaceable resource -- the family farm."

There are 2,345 farms across the state recognized through Pennsylvania's Century and Bicentennial Farm Program. This includes 2,162 Century Farms and 184 Bicentennial Farms.

To be eligible for the program, a farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years. A family member must live on the farm on a permanent basis, and the farm must include at least 10 acres of the original holding or gross more than $1,000 annually from the sale of farm products. The Bicentennial Farm Program follows the same guidelines but requires 200 consecutive years of ownership.

The history of each farm is filed in the archives of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Each farm is presented with a sign to display for passersby to recognize their farm as part of the program.

The Croner Bicentennial Farm, consisting of just under 269 acres, was originally purchased for 250 English pounds in 1792.The first Croner ancestor to farm the land was John Hauger, 4th great-grandfather to Gregory Croner. Hauger, who lived in Antrim Township, Franklin County, was also a tailor, and fought in the Revolutionary War. Gregory and Judith Croner became sole owners of the farm in 1983, and live in a house on the property built in 1901. They produce grain and hay, as well as steers and hogs. Somerset County is home to eight bicentennial and 61 century farms.

David and Donna Fenstermaker's Century Farm was purchased in 1908 by Alice M. Fenstermaker Gann, the great, great aunt of David Fenstermaker. Ninety-one of the farm's original acres are still producing crops, and the original home of Alice's daughter Helen Gann are still standing on the farm. Lycoming County Is home to 68 century and two bicentennial farms.

The Campbell Century Farm was purchased in 1917, and all 106 original acres are still farmed. One of original owner Joseph D. Kistler's nine children, Harold Sephold Campbell stayed on the farm and passed it down through the generations. The farm also included a sawmill, and is today a crop farm. The farm was preserved in 1999 by a donation to Perry County, which is home to three bicentennial and 28 century farms.

For more information on Pennsylvania Century and Bicentennial Farms, or for an application, visit agriculture.pa.gov and search Century Farm or Bicentennial Farm.


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