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Three local farms currently in Century Farms database

 

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Century Farm Program is asking owners of Polk County farms that have been in continuous family ownership for 100 years or more to join its Century Farms program. 

The program aims to recognize the longstanding contributions of farms to North Carolina’s rich agricultural heritage. Every four years, the N.C. State Fair hosts a reunion to recognize Century Farm families. This year’s reunion will be held on Monday, Oct. 21. 

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said that the program was first held at the 1970 N.C. State Fair as part of the fair’s Salute to Agriculture theme. 

Three Polk County farms are listed on the Century Farms database, with the oldest farm under continuous ownership being the Womack Farm on Womack Rd. in the Sunny View/Pea Ridge area, owned by Marjorie Womack. The Harold B Odel Farm, located in the Big Level section of Sunny View, is also part of the program, while the McGinnis Crossroads Farm, located in Green Creek near Poors Ford Rd., holds the most recent Century Farm designation. 

“Being part of our Century Farm program is something to be very proud of, as it speaks to the hard work and dedication families invest in keeping their farmland,” Troxler said. “I encourage anyone who is eligible to apply to this program, and I encourage all members to plan to attend this year’s reunion.” There are 2,006 member farms in the program, with 97 of the state’s 100 counties represented. 

Johnston County has the most Century Farm members at 84, followed by Sampson County with 73 farms and Robeson County with 70 farms in the program. Century Farms represent a small fraction of the total 42,817 farms in North Carolina. 

The abstract of title or original records, such as original deeds or land patents, can be used to determine eligibility. Other authentic land records may be acceptable in some instances to be eligible for the program. Title to the property today must reside with a blood relative of the original owner or a legally adopted child of the descendant. Continuous residence in the state or on the property is not required. 

Applications can be found at www.ncagr.gov and are accepted throughout the year. Proof of land ownership must be submitted with the application. Applications must be submitted by Monday, Aug. 12.