Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has announced that two north Florida properties have qualified for recognition 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 families who qualified are Barney and Lynn Hart in Lafayette County, and Nelson and Karen Clark in Gadsden County.

“These families have been able to retain ownership of their land through the depression, diseases, droughts, freezes and the urbanization of Florida,” Bronson said. “That is a great tribute to the many generations of these families.”

The Clark property is now in pine tree production, but was used for cattle and row crop production in the past. The Clark property is also in pine tree production, but in the past produced watermelons, tobacco, hay, corn and even had a dairy barn.

Since the program began 25 years ago, 135 family farms have received the Century Pioneer Farm designation. The program is administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services with assistance of the Florida Agricultural Museum.

For more information about the program or to apply for membership into the program contact Richard Gunnels at gunnelr@doacs.state.fl.us or call 850/488-3022.