Rice County Century Farms are Recognized

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This year, the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau have recognized three Rice County farms as 2009 Century Farms. In Kilkenny, the Murphy Farm was established in 1861. Two Lonsdale farms recognized are: Bernie and Carol Franek Farm (1897) and Garold J. Pumper (1908).

According to Brienna Schuette, State Fair Marketing and Communications Manager, 114 Minnesota farms have been recognized this year. To qualify, farms must have been in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years and are 50 acres or more. Century Farm families receive a commemorative sign, as well as a certificate signed by the presidents of the State Fair and Farm Bureau and Governor Tim Pawlenty. Since the program began in 1976, over 8,700 Minnesota farms have been recognized as Century Farms.

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