SALEM — Twelve farms and ranches from six counties will be honored this year as official Oregon Century Farms or Ranches, bringing the total number of Oregon Century Farms and Ranches to 1,247.

One Sesquicentennial Century Farm recipient from 2020 — a family that has reached the 150-year mark — brings the total of Sesquicentennial honorees to 47.

The 2020 families will be honored with the 2021 families at this year’s awards ceremony at the Oregon State fair on Saturday, Aug. 28.

“Every Oregon farm and ranch has a unique history and special family story. The Oregon Century Farm & Ranch program encourages agriculture families to share, with a broader audience, these stories,” said Program Coordinator Andrea Kuenzi in an Oregon Farm Bureau press release. “By promoting family stories, our rich cultural heritage is passed down to future generations while educating Oregonians about the social and economic impact of Oregon agriculture.”

The Century Farm and Ranch families being honored are:

2021 Century Farm & Ranch Families

• Alderson Farms: Founded in Polk County in 1921 by Richard Alderson. Applicants: Dennis and Ron Alderson.

• Barnett Farm: Founded in Polk County in 1921 by Martin and Tressa Conger. Applicant: Linda M. Barnett.

• Cruickshank Brothers Farms: Founded in Polk County in 1920 by David and Annie Cruickshank. Applicant: John W. Cruickshank.

• Norman Farm: Founded in Clackamas County in 1921 by John and Anna Norman. Applicant: Shirley Norman.

• Ogle Ranch: Founded in Lake County in 1919 by Clarence Wilson (C.W.) “Jim” Ogle. Applicant: James W. Ogle.

• R.T Gilliland Farm: Founded in Umatilla County in 1914 by Robert T. and Willie Gilliland. Applicant: Donald H. Bensel.

• Rueck’s Grandview Farm: Founded in Washington County in 1921 by George Sr. and Anna Marie Rueck. Applicant: Marvin C. Rueck.

• SC Ranch LLC: Founded in Lake County in 1918 by S.B. (Sol) Chandler. Applicants: Lytle and Tamara Ann Simms.

• Timber Hill Farm: Founded in Polk County in 1920 by David and Annie Cruickshank. Applicant: Kenneth David Cruickshank.

• Welter Family Farm LLC: Founded in Marion County in 1919 by Albert F. and Mary B. Welter. Applicant: Welter Family Farm LLC (Tom Welter).

• Tucker Ranch: Founded in Umatilla County in 1916 by Eugene “Eaph” Tucker. Applicant: Samuel E. Tucker.

• Von Derahe Orchards: Founded in Umatilla County in 1914 by A.A. & Lois E. Bixby. Applicant: Von Derahe Orchards LLC (Mike and Chuck Von Derahe).

2020 Century Farm & Ranch Families

• Blackman Ranch: Founded in Klamath County in 1919 by Thomas Walter Blackman. Applicants: Rodney and Virginia Blackman.

• Marx Farm: Founded in Polk County in 1920 by Julius and Luise Marx. Applicant: Merle Marx.

• Paysinger Family Farm: Founded in Yamhill County in 1920 by George and Lizzie Shelburne. Applicants: David and Theresa Paysinger.

• Starvation Farms: Founded in Morrow County in 1918 by Chris Moehnke. Applicants: Chris and Kathy Rauch.

• Roy Family Farm: Founded in Yamhill County in 1920 by Alfred Luke Roy. Applicant: Carol A. Roy.

• Ward Ranches: Founded in Baker County in 1919 by Levi “Clyde” Ward. Applicants: Craig, Mark, Kathy and Ralph Ward.

• JW Ranch: Founded in Marion County in 1920 by John Calahan. Applicant: John W. Wells.

• Fir Villa Farm: Founded in Polk County in 1911 by Solomon S. and Susan Ediger. Applicants: Melvin and Esther Ediger.

The Sesquicentennial Award program began in 2008 in honor of Oregon’s 150th birthday celebration. Sesquicentennial awards recognize Oregon families who have continuously farmed portions of their original family acreage for 150 years or more.

2020 Sesquicentennial Family

• Cooper Family Orchards: Founded in Wasco County in 1870 by Robert and Mary Cooper. Applicant: David Cooper.

The narratives of the 2020 and 2021 families can be found at www.centuryfarm.oregonfb.org.

The Oregon Century Farm & Ranch Program began in 1958 to honor farm and ranch families with century-long connections to the land. To qualify for a century or sesquicentennial award, families must follow a formal application process.

Members of the Application Review Committee review each application. Qualifications include continuous family operation of the farm or ranch; a gross income from farm use of not less than $1,000 per year for at least three years out of five prior to application; and family members must live on or actively manage the farm or ranch.

Application documentation includes photos, original deeds, stories or other historic records. These records help support Oregon’s agricultural history by providing information about settlement patterns or statistics on livestock and crop cycles. Documents are archived for public access.

Award recipients receive a certificate signed by the governor and director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Historic roadside signs are imprinted with the founder’s name and the year the ranch or farm was established.

The program is administered by the Oregon Agricultural Education Foundation. It is supported by a partnership with the Oregon Farm Bureau, the State Historic Preservation Office, OSU University Archives, and by donations from Oregonians.

For more information, contact Kuenzi, program coordinator, at 503-400-7884, cfr@oregonfb.org.