While farm practices may vary and management may change over the years, there is something comforting about farming the same piece of land that your ancestors did decades before. Celebrating the time, the commitment to the land, and the individuals who paved the path to today is exactly what the Michigan Centennial Farm program stands for. Celebrating the time, commitment to the land and the individuals who paved the path for today is exactly what the Michigan Centennial Farms Program stands for.
The Michigan Centennial Farms Program, a component of the Historical Society of Michigan, appreciates farms owned by the same family for 100 years or more. The contributions of the farms along with the loyalty to the land expressed by the family should be celebrated — and that’s just what the program does. Since the program began in 1948, it has celebrated thousands of centennial farms and the families behind the achievement.
You may have driven by a centennial farm without realizing it. One way to identify a centennial farm is to look for the iconic marker: a green sign with yellow text featuring a wolverine toward the top. Why a wolverine? These creatures symbolize persistence, determination and endurance - likely characteristics that each 100-year-old farm and their families are familiar with.
“The Centennial Farm program celebrates the agricultural heritage of farm families in their communities and throughout the state,” said Larry J. Wagenaar, executive director and CEO of the Historical Society of Michigan, which manages the program. “These certified farms provide an opportunity to tell the unique history of these long-term farms and the role and contribution of agriculture to Michigan’s economy, cultural development, occupational opportunities, and land use.”
Have a centennial farm? Get it recognized!
To qualify, the property must be located in Michigan and be a working farm of ten or more acres that has been continuously owned by the same family for at least 100 years. While the current families don’t need to have the same last name as the founders, they must still be related. Interested families that may qualify can submit an application online along with photographs, a tax bill, a site plan, and deeds establishing your family’s continuous chain of ownership. The application takes approximately two weeks to process. If approved, the sign will take four to six weeks to arrive.
GreenStone is proud to partner with the Michigan Centennial Farms Program and celebrate the dedication shown by families over many years. For more information, contact the Historical Society of Michigan at (800) 692-1828 or farms@hsmichigan.org. You can also go to hsmichigan.org.
To view the article in the online 2023 Spring Partners Magazine, click here.
