VIRGINIA CENTURY FARM PROGRAM
Honoring the Enduring Spirit of Agriculture
and Virginia's Farm Families
Since the first settlers landed at Jamestown nearly 400 years ago and planted crops to sustain themselves through the winters to come, agriculture has been at the heart of Virginia. Our Commonwealth’s traditions and values stem from this heritage and from those Founding Fathers of our state and our nation, many of whom were farmers themselves.
Today, descendants of these first farmers continue to produce food and fiber on the same land as their forefathers. As established in the Code of Virginia, the Virginia Century Farm Program recognizes and honors those farms that have been in operation for at least 100 consecutive years and the generations of Virginia farm families whose diligent and dedicated efforts have maintained these farms, provided nourishment to their fellow citizens and contributed so greatly to the economy of the Commonwealth.
Recognition
In recognition of their designation as a Virginia Century Farm,
families will receive a certificate signed by the Governor and the Commissioner
of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and a
sign appropriate for outdoor display. In addition, the name of the farm
and its owners will be posted on the Department’s Internet site.
For more information contact:
Kevin Schmidt
804.786.1346, FAX: 804.371.7786
kevin.schmidt@vdacs.virginia.gov
Office of Farmland Preservation (OFP)
Virginia Century Farms To Date - 1,247
These 1,247 farms have been recognized as Virginia Century Farms. The information is listed by locality, and includes the farm name and the farm owners when the Century Farm recognition originally was bestowed.
Updated May 7, 2013.
Criteria for Century Farm Eligibility
A farm must meet the criteria determined by the Virginia General Assembly to be certified as a Virginia Century Farm:
- It must have been owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years;
- It must be lived on or actually farmed by a descendent of the original owner;
- It must gross over $2,500 annually from the sale of farm products, or
- At the discretion of the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, a farm that does not gross over $2,500 annually, but is being used for a bona fide silvicultural purpose (growing, tending or protecting trees for the purpose of eventually producing income or financial benefit), may be recognized under the program.
Virginia Century Farm Application
Click here for the Virginia Century Farm application. Please complete the application form, have it notarized and mail it to the following address: Virginia Century Farm Program, Office of Farmland Preservation, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 102 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219NO APPLICATION FEE IS REQUIRED