Northeast Pasco Concerned Citizens

Bronson Seeks Farm Families

With 100-Year Ownership

Century Pioneer Family Farm program honors contributions to Florida history

TALLAHASSEE -- With less than two percent of Americans now living on farms, not many can trace their agricultural heritage back 100 years. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson wants to honor Floridians who have maintained at least 100 years of continuous family farm ownership by certifying them as Century Pioneer Family Farms.

These families are the true pioneers of Florida’s proud agricultural tradition,” Bronson said. “They have seen firsthand the developments in farming over the past century. They have been through good times and trying times; experienced freezes, droughts, deluges and pest invasions. They know about hard work and the satisfaction it brings.”

Florida has 176 certified Century Pioneer Family Farms in the program, which was initiated in 1985 by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and is now administered by the department’s Florida Agricultural Museum.

Bronson is asking families that have continuously owned a farm or ranch since 1905 to contact the department and request an application form. All families previously designated as Florida Century Pioneer Farm Families are also asked to contact the department to update their information.

“The Florida Century Pioneer Family Farm program honors those families who struggled and worked for generations to build their farms, better themselves, and develop Florida’s modern agricultural industry,” Bronson said. “The program venerates their perseverance and helps preserve an important part of our state’s history for future generations.”

Family members do not have to live in the state or on the property continuously, but title to at least part of the property must have remained in the family throughout the period for the family to be eligible for recognition. An abstract of title is the best evidence of continuous family ownership. The current title to the property must reside with a blood relative of the original owner or a legally adopted child of a descendant. In addition to receiving a certificate, Century Pioneer Family Farms also receive a sign that can be posted on the property denoting its significance.

Only one certificate will be issued for each property, so relatives of families who have already been honored are not eligible for recognition for the same property.

European agriculture began in Florida with the founding of St. Augustine in 1565, 44 years before Jamestown was founded. The oldest farms and the oldest farm families in the Unites State are Floridians. Florida was first in agriculture but frequently overlooked in American history because it was a Spanish colony and not one of the 13 British colonies.

For information about the Century Pioneer Family Farm program or to request an application form by email, famuseum@pcfl.net, or write to: Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner of Agriculture, 1850 Princess Place Road, Palm Coast, Florida 32137. For more information call Richard Gunnels (850) 488-3022.