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Centennial Farms Honored at Colorado State Fair

Creative Commons

Friday is “Centennial Farms Day” at the Colorado State Fair. This afternoon Governor John Hickenlooper will recognize 18 families who’ve owned and operated their farm or ranch for 100 years or more.

“And they do need to be somewhat of a working farm or ranch,” says Lyle Miller – who is the Centennial Farms Coordinator with the Colorado Historical Society. “They need to be at least 160 acres in size or if they are smaller than that have a least $1,000 a year in income off the property.”

More than 400 farms and ranches have been honored since the Centennial program started in 1986. Miller says the accomplishment is worth celebrating.

“We hear stories about them surviving the depression, surviving grasshopper infestations, surviving the economy, gas prices all that. Certainly it’s significant that they’ve withstood this long.”

Agriculture Secretary John Salazar and other state dignitaries will also be on hand for the event in Pueblo. Family representatives will receive a signed certificate from the Governor and a metal sign to display on their property.

 

Email: brian.larson@kunc.org