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Hansons honored with Century Farm status
by Jacob Lane, West Liberty Index · News · October 20, 2016
Several more families that have owned a farm for 100 years or 150 years from the West Branch area were recognized during the Iowa State Fair.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey recognized Century and Heritage Farm families during a ceremony at the State Fair again this year.
To qualify, a family must have owned at least 40 acres for 100 years or more in the case of Century Farms and 150 years or more for a Heritage Farm.
Priscilla Richards Haessig, West Liberty and Muscatine County, received the distinction of Century Farm with a property that dates back to 1911.
The title of Century Farm was also given to Ileen Nebergall Hanson, along with Karl Nebergall and Hilbert Nebergall of Atalissa and Cedar County, for their property dating back to 1898.
This year 320 Century Farms and 103 Heritage Farms were recognized. It was also the 40-year anniversary of the Century Farms program and the 10-year anniversary of the Heritage Farms program.
“Being able to recognize these farm families is one of my favorite days of the year. This award is a tremendous celebration of the families who have cared for the land and raised the crops and livestock that helped build our state and feed the world,” said Northey.
“To own a farm for 100 or 150 years is a testament to the values of land stewardship, hard work, patience, dedication and perseverance that are found in Iowa’s farm families,” he added.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has partnered with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation since 1976 to recognize families that have owned and worked a farm for 100 years or more. Including this year’s recipients, more than 19,000 farms from across the state have been recognized.
The Heritage Farm program was started in 2006, on the 30th anniversary of the Century Farm program and now 940 farms have been recognized.
The 2016 Century and Heritage Farms Program ceremony was held at the Iowa State Fair in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion on Thursday, August 18.
Craig Hill, President of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, or Joe Heinrich, Vice President of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation joined Northey to recognize all award recipients.
“The program acknowledges the deep roots of Iowa agriculture and the special bond that exists between Iowa families and the land they farm,” Northey said. “The Iowa State Fair is a celebration of Iowa and Iowa agriculture, so it’s a great place to recognize the Century Farm and Heritage Farm recipients.”
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