| SEPTEMBER 11, 2010 -- Century Farms will be celebrated during The Big E on Grange Day, Sunday, September 26, 2010 at the New England Grange Building, 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA, 01089. A reception for recipients of the prestigious designation will commence at 2 pm with speeches by dignitaries from the Massachusetts State Grange, Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation and other stake holders. Recipients of this designation will receive a sign identifying them as a Century Farm, owned by the same family for over 100 years.
The Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation and the Massachusetts State Grange joined together to celebrate our Massachusetts Century Farms with signage and documentation. These are farms that have been in operation for over one hundred years by the same family and are still viable. It is a testament to the determination of generations of hard work and labor to continue to produce quality food, fiber and fuel.
On Thursday, December 2, 2010 recipients will receive a publication listing other Century Farms in the Commonwealth at the MFBF Annual Meeting, at Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, One Monarch Place, Springfield, MA 01144. Some farms go back to the mid-1600s and the days of the Tall Ships when plot plans read “east of the great river”. An interesting read when you consider the evolution of these farms, their histories, stories and genealogical details.
Century Farms are an inspiration to others who strive to achieve such a milestone. Their strong family ties that continue to maintain hundreds of thousands of acres of open space and natural resource conservation management in a way that improves the economy, tourism, the environment and ultimately our quality of life.
The Grange is the nation’s oldest national agricultural organization. It’s 300,000 members provide service to agriculture and rural areas on a wide variety of issues, including economic development, education, family endeavors, and legislation designed to assure a strong and viable Rural America. Visit www.massgrange.org.
The Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation is a non-profit 6,500 member based organization dedicated to protecting the rights, encouraging the growth and being of service to our members in the best interest of agriculture. Visit www.mfbf.net. |
