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Montgomery County farms inducted into Arkansas Century Farm Program

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LITTLE ROCK – Two Montgomery County Farms were recognized by Governor Asa Hutchinson and Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward as they were among 40 Arkansas farms inducted into the Arkansas Century Farm Program at the State Capitol on Friday, October 27.

The Watkins Farm, which was established in 1889, and the Polk Creek Farm, established in 1917, were the two Montgomery County farms inducted into the Arkansas Century Farm Program.

The Watkins Farm is owned by Ann Watkins and is located on South Fork Road. Polk Creek Farm is owned by the Ed and Helen Smith and is located near Oden.

The Arkansas Century Farm Program recognizes Arkansas farms of 10 acres or more owned by the same family for at least a century.

The Arkansas Agriculture Department began the Century Farm program in 2012 as a way to highlight the contributions of these families to the agriculture industry well as their overall contributions to our state.   Agriculture is Arkansas’s largest industry, contributing more than $20 billion to the state’s economy annually and providing one in every six jobs in the state.  Arkansas consistently ranks in the top 25 nationally in the production of 23 agricultural commodities.

“Through obstacles and challenges you have maintained your commitment to your farm and to your family.  When families are strong, our communities are strong, and our state is strong” said Governor Hutchinson to the Century Farm Families.

Including new inductees, 376 farms are currently recognized as Arkansas Century Farms. The 40 newly inducted Century Farms are located in the following 27 counties: Arkansas, Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Columbia, Craighead, Drew, Faulkner, Franklin, Greene, Independence, Jackson, Jefferson, Little River, Logan, Lonoke, Marion, Montgomery, Newton/Searcy, Pope, Prairie, Sebastian, Sharp, Stone, Union, White, and Woodruff.

Applications for the 2018 Century Farm Inductees will open in February, 2018.  For questions about the Arkansas Century Farm program, contact Mary Elizabeth Lea at maryelizabeth.lea@aad.ar.gov<mailto:maryelizabeth.lea@aad.ar.gov>.

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