By Roz Weis,
Many area farm families were honored with the distinction of owning a Century Farm or Heritage Farm in an Aug. 17 ceremony at the Iowa State Fair Pioneer Livestock Pavilion with Driftless area farm history well-represented.
The state annually recognizes the farms based on applications from families owning the operations. There are currently 21,000 Century Farms and 1,800 Heritage Farms recognized across Iowa.
The Century Farms Program recognizes and honors individuals who have owned the farmland for 100 years or more. The program began in 1976 as part of the state’s Bicentennial Celebration, when more than 56,000 certificates and farm markers were distributed across the state.
The Heritage Farms Program honors ownership and operation of a farm by members of the same family for 150 years or more. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in conjunction with Iowa Farm Bureau Federation established the program.
The Driftless region farm families added to the Heritage Farm and Century Farm listings are below.
Winneshiek County
Heritage Farm
Dean Thorson of Decorah, Hesper Township farm dating back to 1855.
Century Farms
Duane and Lynette Falck of Decorah, Hesper Township farm dating back to 1908.
Karon E. and Ronald Hovey of Ridgeway, Orleans Township farm dating back to 1915.
Kevin and Dedra Kuhn of Calmar, Calmar Township farm dating back to 1923.
Timothy and Mary Wiltgen of Fredericksburg, Springfield Township farm dating back to 1920.
Allamakee County
Heritage Farms
David J. and Doris M. Anderson, Mitch Anderson, Leah Anderson and Beth Anderson Wohlert of Lansing, Center Township farm dating back to 1855.
Keith and Faye Beneke of New Albin, Union City Township farm dating back to 1868.
Don, Dennis and Susie Bresnahan of Dorchester, Hanover Township farm dating back to 1854.
Neil and Ann Krumme of Waukon, Ludlow Township farm dating back to 1873.
Howard County
Heritage Farm
Larry and Cynthia Kostohryz of Cresco, New Oregon Township farm dating back to 1873.
Century Farm
Darla Rance, Jared Rance and Brian Rance of Lime Springs, operators of a Saratoga Township farm dating back to 1913.
Chickasaw County
Century Farms
Clair J. and Mary Lensing of Waucoma, Utica Township farm dating back to 1895.
Cynthia Sue Perry and Michael David Perry of New Hampton, New Hampton Township farm dating back to 1911.
Janis O’Neil Havlik of Alta Vista, Deerfield Township farm dating back to 1900.
Mildred Brus and Davis Brus of New Hampton, Brus Family Washington Township farm dating back to 1905.
Clayton County
Heritage Farms
Lew A. Klinge, Jody Wooge and Kirby Klinge of Garnavillo, North Township farm dating back to 1853.
Jim and Heather Meyer of Garber, Mallory Township farm dating back to 1864.
Century Farms
James L. and Mary S. Keehner of Monona, Giard Township farm dating back to 1914.
Lew A. Klinge, Jody Wooge and Kirby Klinge of Garnavillo, North Township farm dating back to 1853.
Donna Plaht and Robert and Connie Plaht of Luana, Grand Meadow Township farm dating back to 1893.
Joyce Thurn and Richard Thurn of Edgewood, Ladomillo Township farm dating back to 1923.
Fayette County
Century Farms
Hal Wilson and Ivy Hagedorn of Waterloo, Illyria Township farm dating back to 1920.
Gerard and Mary Rochford of Sumner, Fremont Township farm dating back to 1901.
Kenneth Wurzer of Waucoma, Auburn Township farm dating back to 1867.
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