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PENNSYLVANIA FURNACE -- Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding recently honored twelve Centennial Farms for having been in the same family for 100 years. He also named a Centre County farm a Bicentennial farm, honoring the Stine family, who have passed down their farm within the family since 1813.
"Today, we celebrate 13 farm families who have made tremendous contributions to feeding Pennsylvanians and preserving our agricultural heritage," Redding said. "These farms and families have varied histories, yet all share a deep commitment to future generations, as well as sustainability, durability, and perseverance as caretakers of the land."
Since the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture started the Century Farm Program in 1977 and the Bicentennial Farm Program in 2004, more than 2,300 farms have earned recognition. Pennsylvania recognized its second Tricentennial Farm during the PA Farm Show in January 2024. At the 2026 Farm Show, eleven farms were added to the program.
The program's goal is to emphasize the importance of economic and rural heritage and traditions in Pennsylvania. The recognition ceremony was held at Penn State's Ag Progress Days, an annual agriculture exposition that draws tens of thousands of visitors to learn about the latest agriculture research, technology, equipment, and innovation driving Pennsylvania forward.
Farms owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years are eligible to be named a Pennsylvania Century Farm. A family member must live on the farm, and the property must include at least 10 acres of the original farm or earn more than $1,000 annually from sales of farm products. Thirteen farms that met or exceeded this standard were recognized today.
Centre County
Barron and Lynn Stine, Halfmoon Township.
Jonas Stine purchased the family farm in 1813, creating a legacy that has endured for more than two centuries. Today, Barron and Lynn Stine grow crops, raise beef cattle on original acreage, and preserve historic farm buildings, along with rare land warrants that have remained in the family since the early 1800s.
Centre County is home to 44 century and three bicentennial farms.
Perry County
Jean and Dennis Reisinger and Joelle Reisinger Bond, Centre Township.
Jacob Ard Kretzing purchased the family farm in 1925 and built a legacy that now spans four generations. Today, Jean and Dennis Reisinger and Joelle Reisinger Bond operate the original 126-acre property as a grain and poultry farm, while preserving the original farmhouse.
Logan Miles Bower, Jackson Township.
The Bower family has farmed in Jackson Township since 1816, with Luther Miles and Benjamin B. Bower purchasing the family farm in 1925. Four generations later, the farm remains in the family, with many historic structures, including a 1766 log cabin and 1770 barn, still in use. What began as a small dairy with 10 cows has grown into a modern operation with more than 600 milking cows, carrying the Bower family's agricultural legacy into the future.
Perry County is home to 41 century and eight bicentennial farms.
Others
Cambria County
William and Kimberly Simanski, Washington Township. Cambria County is home to 34 century farms.
Fayette County
John and Seth Dorazio and Joseph Augustine, Redstone Township. Fayette County is home to 26 century and four bicentennial farms.
Indiana County
Lynne, Scott, Randy, and Shirley Marshall, South Mahoning Township. Joseph and Laura Skamai, West Mahoning Township. Indiana County is home to 58 century and three bicentennial farms.
Lehigh County
Timothy and Deborah Geiger, North Whitehall Township.
Lehigh County is home to 22 century and six bicentennial farms.
Lycoming County
Marlene Warn, Moreland Township. Lycoming County is home to two bicentennial and 74 century farms.
Montour County
Messersmith Family Irrevocable Trust, Liberty Township. Montour County is home to 17 century farms.
Potter County
Heather Klimek, Allegany Township. Potter County is home to 28 century farms.
Somerset County
Daniel and Heather Ream, Upper Turkeyfoot Township. Somerset County is home to 67 century and nine bicentennial farms.
Westmoreland County
Thomas and Belinda Derr, Sewickley Township. Westmoreland County is home to 40 century and 11 bicentennial farms.