Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has announced that a North Florida property has been designated as a Century Pioneer Family Farm.

Recognition in this program means the families have maintained continuous ownership of the property for at least 100 years. The family is the Charles Hagler family of Jackson County.

"This family has been able to retain ownership of their land through the Great Depression, diseases, droughts, freezes and the urbanization of Florida," Bronson said. "That is a great tribute to the many generations of this family."

Originally, the Haglers' 300-acre farm in Jackson County was used for row crops such as corn, peanuts and hay. It is still being used for many of the same commodities, as well as for pasture land for cattle and pine tree production.

Since the program began 27 years ago, 158 family farms have received the Century Pioneer Farm designation. The program is administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

For more information about the program or to apply for membership, visit www.florida-agriculture.com/marketing/century_pioneers.htm or contact Richard Gunnels at (850) 488-3022 or gunnelr@doacs.state.fl.us.