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MB Article - Centennial Farms Honored at Ga. National Fair

Fifteen Georgia farms were recognized as 2006 Georgia Centennial Farms at an awards ceremony Friday, October 6, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Georgia.  The Centennial Farm Program honors significant farms that have been continuously operating for over 100 years and deserve recognition for their historical importance.

Dr. David Bridges, president of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, was the speaker at a luncheon honoring the representatives of the farms.  Bridges also handed out the awards to the recipients who received a Georgia Centennial Farm certificate of honor signed by Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue.

Farms are distinguished through one of three awards.  The Centennial Heritage Farm Award honors farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  The Centennial Farm Award does not require continual family ownership, but farms must be at least 100 years old and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  The Centennial Family Farm Award recognizes farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more that are not listed in the National Register of Historic Places. For 2006 there were no Centennial Heritage Farms or Centennial Farm Awards, but 15 farms qualified as Centennial Family Farms.

Those interested in nominating a farm for recognition during the next application cycle must apply before the March 31, 2007, deadline.  For an application or more information, contact Gretchen Brock, Centennial Farm Committee Chair, at Historic Preservation Division, 47 Trinity Avenue SW, Suite 414H, Atlanta, GA  30334-9006, or call 404-651-6782.  Application forms and information also are available online at http://www.gashpo.org/content/displaynavigation.asp?TopCategory=25.