In the 1840s, Evva Hanes’ great-grandfather purchased the land that would be home to his family for over 100 years. The land continued to be passed down through the years, becoming the property of Evva and her siblings in the 1950s. In an attempt to keep the family land together, Evva bought each of her […]
Century Farm Program
Mitchell County Century Farm known for its molasses
In 1796, Hugh Harrell planted the roots of a family farm in Bakersville that would grow with love over the centuries. Harrell Hill Farms has produced a variety of products throughout time, but the family has always valued education and each other. Luther Harrell, a descendant of Hugh, was one of the first farmers in […]
Grapes galore at Cleveland County Century Farm
Located in Cleveland County, Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard and Winery operates on farmland that has been in the Baker family for quite some time. Ann Edwards, an owner of the vineyard, said her grandfather first used the family’s farmland, growing corn for his federally licensed liquor. As a “gentleman farmer,” Ann’s grandfather farmed mostly for […]
Surry County Century Farm attracts a crowd each summer
Since the late 1700s, the Key family has reaped the benefits of the same land in Surry county, whether that be through farming or other business ventures. Following the Revolutionary War, Martin Rice Key moved from Virginia to North Carolina, settling on what would be the family’s land for centuries. At one point, the family’s […]
Sampson County Century Farm prospers under the care of one woman
Since 1913, the Petersons have been operating their family farm in Sampson County. Carla Peterson and her husband, Chris, currently own the farm, but it was his grandfather who laid the foundation in the early 1900s. Mr. Peterson’s grandfather sold books door to door in order to make money. He then bought war bonds, using […]
Today’s Topic: This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Century Family Farm Program.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Century Family Farm Program. We will recognize Century Farm Families at the N.C. State Fair on Monday, Oct. 19, in Dorton Arena. If you are a Century Family Farm, […]
News Roundup: Aug. 4-10
Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. “Best farmers’ markets in America,” MSN: The State Farmers Market in Raleigh and the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market in Colfax rank in the Top 50 Farmers Markets in the U.S. […]
News Roundup: March 10-16
Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. “NC Farm Bureau director says NC is no longer Mayberry,” Salisbury Post: As of July 2007, the world has been more urban than rural, according to a study by the […]
News Roundup: July 3-10
Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. Click on the links to go straight to the full story. “Farm use of drones to take off as feds loosen restrictions,” Winston-Salem Journal: Mike Geske wants a drone. Watching a […]
News Roundup: May 5-11
Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. Click on the links to go straight to the full story. “Farmers markets getting money to take food stamps,” Hendersonville Times-News: The federal government is spending $4 million to help […]
Today’s Topic: Century Farm Program
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” This week, Commissioner Troxler and Rhonda talk about the Century Farm Program, which recognizes North Carolina farms that have been in the same family continuously for 100 years or more. The NCDA&CS has operated the program since […]
Century Farms Program celebrates 100 years of continuous family ownership
In 2010, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Century Farm Program will celebrate its 40th year — a milestone, but one significantly shorter than the program’s focus. The Century Farm Program started in 1970 at the N.C. State Fair with a push to find and honor farms that had been in continuous family ownership […]