Arkansas Century Farm program honors two Benton County farms

BENTON COUNTY -- The Arkansas Century Farm Program, administered by the Arkansas Agriculture Department, inducted 58 new farms and families, during a Governor-led ceremony at the State Capitol last month. The C.K. Tucker Farm, established in 1914, and the Circle L Ranch, established in 1884, both of western Benton County, were among new Century Farm inductees.

Receiving the Century Farm sign for the Circle L Ranch were Amanda Price and Tricia Leonard. For the C.K. Tucker Farm were Chester Walker, Carol Ann Tucker Walker, Hollyann Walker Crawford, Judy Tucker Bishop, Beth Bishop Jones, Colby Jones and Allie Jones.

Since 2012, the Century Farm Program has recognized Arkansas farms of 10 acres or more owned by the same family for a century or more.

"It isn't easy to take care of a farm, let alone pass one down from generation to generation. Agriculture is the top industry in Arkansas, and I am committed to supporting it and helping it grow, as are Century Farm families," said Governor Asa Hutchinson. "These families represent the hard work and dedication it takes to maintain a thriving marketplace for Arkansas products. It was my honor to welcome each of the 58 new families to the Century Farm program, and to thank them for adding to our rich agricultural heritage across generations," he continued.

The 58 inductee Century Farms are located in the following 31 Arkansas counties: Arkansas, Benton, Boone, Cleburne, Cleveland, Crawford, Dallas, Faulkner, Franklin, Greene, Hot Spring, Howard, Independence, Izard, Johnson, Little River, Logan, Lonoke, Madison, Monroe, Poinsett, Prairie, Pulaski, Searcy, Stone, Sharp, Scott, Van Buren, White, Woodruff, and Yell. Including new inductees, 297 farms are currently recognized by the Century Farm Program.

The Arkansas Agriculture Department hosts this program and highlights the role that these families play in the agricultural heritage and history of Arkansas. Applications for 2016 Century Farms will open in February, 2016.

The Arkansas Agriculture Department is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. For more information, visit aad.arkansas.gov.