Governor Sanders Honors 41 Arkansas Century Farms

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, joined by Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward, celebrated the induction of 41 farms into the Arkansas Century Farm Program on Thursday, November 7th. The program recognizes farms that have been owned by the same family for at least 100 years and are at least 10 acres in size.

The Arkansas Century Farm Program, established in 2012 by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, honors the deep commitment of farm families who have contributed to the state’s agricultural heritage. The program is voluntary, with no cost to participating families.

Agriculture remains the largest industry in Arkansas, contributing over $24.3 billion annually to the state’s economy. Of the state’s 38,000 farms, approximately 95 percent are family-owned.

Secretary Ward also praised the honorees for their unwavering dedication.

Ward said-quote “The Arkansas Century Farm Program exists to recognize and honor the Arkansas farm families that, for generations, have dedicated their lives to serving others and providing the food, fiber, fuel, and shelter that we all depend on every single day of our lives.”

With the addition of these 41 new inductees, the total number of Arkansas Century Farms now stands at 645. These newly honored farms are located across 31 counties, including Howard, Pike, Arkansas, Baxter, Benton, Boone, Clay, Columbia, Conway, Craighead, Cross, Desha, Franklin, Independence, Izard, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Lee, Lincoln, Logan, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Ouachita, Poinsett, Polk, Prairie, Pulaski, Searcy, Union, Van Buren, and White.

Applications for the 2025 class of inductees will open in February 2025 and close in May 2025. More information on the Arkansas Century Farm Program, including details on how to apply, is available on the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s website.