REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — Randy and Nancy Gregg were recognized by the Ohio Department of Agriculture for over 200 years of same-family farm ownership. Department of Agriculture Assistant Director Tim Derickson presented the seventh-generation owners with a certificate to commemorate the accomplishment at the recent Knox County Soil and Water Conservation District annual meeting. The Gregg Farm, located in Berlin Township, was founded by Samuel Gibson in 1819.
Ohio’s Agricultural Heritage
The Ohio Department of Agriculture recognizes the social, economic, and historic contributions of Ohio’s family farms through its Ohio Historic Family Farms program, which recognizes farms that have remained in the same family for at least 100 years. Over 1,700 farms are registered as century, sesquicentennial or bicentennial farms, with at least two farms represented in each of the state’s 88 counties. Knox County currently has 23 farms registered in the program.
Program History
In 1993, the department began collaborating with Ohio’s Country Journal and the Ohio Historical Society to administer the Outstanding Ohio Century Farm Program. In 2003, the department became the sole sponsor of the program, and the Outstanding Ohio Century Farm program evolved into the Ohio Century Farm program. The program became the Ohio Historic Farms Program when it was expanded in 2013 to include a designation for Bicentennial Farms. Sesquicentennial Farms were added in 2016.
Additional Information
Visit the website (http://www.agri.ohio.gov/divs/cent_farms/) for more information, including a list of current century, sesquicentennial, and bicentennial farms, as well as a downloadable registration form. Assistance is also available from the department’s Office of Communication at centuryfarms@agri.ohio.gov or 614-752-9817.
— Ohio Department of Agriculture
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