Winneshiek County farms sought for "Century Farm" and "Heritage Farm" recognition

The Iowa Department of Agriculture is encouraging eligible farm owners to apply for the 2014 Century and Heritage Farm Program.  The program, sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau, recognizes families that have owned their farm for 100 years in the case of Century Farms and 150 years for Heritage Farms.

12 Winneshiek County farms earned such recognition last year in a ceremony at the State Fair in August.  Earning "Heritage Farm" status for being in the same family for 150 years was the farm owned by Dennis and Barb Mashek of Calmar.  "Century Farm" certificates for farms in the same family for at least 100 years were given to Mark, William and Barbara Bohach of Ft. Atkinson; Patricia Brooks of Ridgeway; Elaine Doherty and Rita Vettraino of Ridgeway; Raymond and Donna Elsbernd of Calmar; Daniel Fisher of Decorah; Dale and Bonnie Hackman of Fort Atkinson; James Delbert Hageman of Calmar; Andrew Hertges of Decorah; David and Susan Rausch of Fort Atkinson; Harold Rue of Ridgeway and Robert and Teresa Uhlenhake of Ossian.

Applications are available on the Department's website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov by clicking on the Century Farm or Heritage Farm link under "Hot Topics."