What is a Century Farm?

On July 23, 1987, Governor Michael N. Castle announced the creation of the Delaware Century Farm program. This program honors Delaware farm families who have owned the same farmland for one hundred years or longer.

The Secretary of Agriculture recognizes new Century Farm Award recipients at an annual presentation ceremony. Each family receives an engraved pewter tray and a certificate suitable for framing. The name of the farm and owners are also engraved on large recognition plaques on display at the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village and the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

Would my farm qualify for the Century Farm Program?

• Your family must have owned the farm for 100 years or longer. The farm may have passed within the family through any relationship: marriage, parent to child, uncle to niece, grandmother to grandchild, etc.
• At least ten acres of the original tract of land must still be part of your farm; however, you do not have to live on the farm, and tenant farmers may farm it.
• Applications must include a map and/or a legal description of the farm and copies of documents (deeds, orphans court documents, or wills) showing when your family originally acquired the farm and how it was transferred within the family since its acquisition.

If you believe your farm qualifies, submit an application with the questions answered to the best of your ability (there may be certain questions you cannot answer.)

Century Farm Application