Application Deadline: May 01, 2025
Introduction
Do you currently own a working farm that has been in your family for over 100 years? Then you may have earned special recognition for your farm. The Georgia Centennial Farm Program honors Georgia’s farmers for their contributions to our state’s agricultural heritage and encourages the preservation of agricultural resources for future generations.
Awards
Participants who qualify for a Centennial Farm award are honored each year at the Georgia National Fair in October. During a special recognition program, farm owners receive a Georgia Centennial Farm Certificate of Honor signed by the Governor.
Sponsors
The Georgia Centennial Farm Program is administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs in partnership with Georgia Farm Bureau Federation; Georgia Department of Agriculture; Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agri-Center; Georgia EMC; and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.
Award Selection
Applications are reviewed and selections made by the Georgia Centennial Farm Committee. Completed applications must be postmarked by May 1st of the award year to qualify for the current Centennial Farm awards. Applicants who qualify will be notified by mail.
Application Procedures
Please read the Award Qualifications section on the next page before completing this application. Be sure to keep a copy of your application materials. Application materials will not be returned. Application materials for qualifying farms are kept on file with the Historic Preservation Division as part of a permanent record on Georgia’s historic farms and are open to the public for research. Send the completed application and supporting documentation by May 1st to:
Georgia Centennial Farm Program
Historic Preservation Division
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
60 Executive Park South, NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Award Qualifications
To qualify, your farm must be a working farm with a minimum of 10 acres actively involved in agricultural production and $1,000 in annual farm-generated income. The farm must retain at least 10 acres of the original farm purchase. In addition, farms must meet the requirements for one of the following award categories:
Centennial Heritage Farm Award
- Owned continuously by members of the same family for 100 years or more
- Listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Centennial Farm Award
- Does not require continual family ownership
- Farms must be at least 100 years old
- Listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Centennial Family Farm Award
- Owned continuously by members of the same family for 100 years or more
- Not listed in the National Register of Historic Places
*The line of ownership may be traced down through either side of the family including descendants such as brothers, sisters, nephews, or nieces. For information on the National Register of Historic Places, contact the Historic Preservation Division. Farm land used for tree farming can qualify as a working farm only if the farm operates from a forest management plan written by a registered forester, has at least 10 acres of forest land, and will have forest products harvested at some scheduled time in the future. Once a farm has received a Centennial Farm award it will not qualify for another Centennial Farm award category. Exceptions are made for Centennial Family Farms that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places at a later date. These farms may reapply for the Centennial Heritage Farm Award category. Only one certificate will be issued for each family farm unless the original farm has been subdivided for more than 100 years and the subdivided farm parcels have also achieved 100 years of significance as separate family farms.
For more information, visit Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Centennial Farms Program.
Questions? Please email outreach@dca.ga.gov
