13 Winneshiek County farms recognized for longevity

The Carol Bergan and Connie Clauson-Pierce families of Decorah and Slater

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey has recognized 13 Winneshiek County farms as either Century or Heritage Farms.

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.

This year nine Winneshiek County farms were named "Century Farms" and four were named "Heritage Farms."  Century Farms were the Bergan farm at 1281 380th Street in Decorah; the Busch farm at 1271 210th Avenue in Ossian; the Casterton farm at 3860 Highlandville Road in Decorah; the Donovan farm at 2775 Highway 9 in Ridgeway; the Elsbernd farm at 2609 County Road B32 in Fort Atkinson; the Gerleman farm at 2235 155th Street in Calmar; the Hageman farm at 2486 Highway 24 in Fort Atkinson; the Peterson farm at 3251 North Winn Road in Decorah; and the Smith farm at 3568 236th Avenue in Decorah.  Heritage Farms were the Amundson farm at 1427 Big Canoe Road in Decorah; the Bullerman farm at 2327 145th Street in Calmar; the Hegg farm at 1755 Valdres Road in Decorah; and the Miller farm at 2344 County Road A14 in Decorah.

The Judith and Jerry Busch family of Ossian

The Patrick and Mary Donovan family of Ridgeway