Slaten farm, established 1888, inducted into Arkansas Century Farm Program

The Slaten farm, established in 1888 in Garland County, was inducted into the Arkansas Century Farm Program by Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward during a ceremony at the state Capitol on Dec. 19.

The Arkansas Century Farm Program recognizes Arkansas farms of 10 acres or more owned by the same family for at least 100 years, a news release from the governor's office said.

To qualify, the same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by Dec. 31, 2017. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage and adoption, according to the program's website.

The farm must be at least 10 acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income, the website says.

"The value of farm families is more than their crops and livestock. Through generations, their commitment to family and hard work has proven to be the combination of values that enriches our communities, and makes our state and nation great," Hutchinson told the families during the ceremony.

Including the Slaten farm and the other 41 new inductees this year, 418 farms are currently recognized as Arkansas Century Farms. The farms recognized during the ceremony are located in 25 counties: Arkansas, Boone, Columbia, Conway, Crittenden, Cross, Desha, Faulkner, Franklin, Fulton, Garland, Grant, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lee, Lincoln, Lonoke, Marion, Ouachita, Poinsett, Sebastian, Union, Van Buren, Washington and Woodruff.

The Arkansas Agriculture Department began the Century Farm program in 2012 as a way to highlight the contributions of these families to the agriculture industry as well as their overall contributions to our state. Agriculture is Arkansas's largest industry, contributing more than $20 billion to the state's economy annually and providing one in every six jobs in the state. Arkansas consistently ranks in the top 25 nationally in the production of 23 agricultural commodities, the release said.

Applications for the 2019 Century Farm Inductees will open in February. For questions about the Arkansas Century Farm program, contact Mary Elizabeth Lea at [email protected].

Local on 12/23/2018

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