Within a county bolstering a rich heritage in agriculture, the family farm is a common entity. Prior to statehood and European settlement, the Native People of the Ohio Land systematically grew corn, beans and squash from the soil beneath our feet. By the time Morrow County was organized (1848) European settlers had cultivated the land to fit their production needs. Agriculture is deeply rooted here.
Today, over 60% (258,112 acres) of Morrow County is designated farmland totaling 840 farms with a fixation on commodity crops, such as, corn and soybeans, as well as, livestock, notably, pork.
To honor the families that have endured the passage of time and continue to carry the torch of legacy for their kin, the Ohio Department of Agriculture has developed Ohio's Historic Family Farms program. The program now recognizes three categories of farm... Century Farms (100-149 years), Sesquicentennial Farms (150-199 years); and Bicentennial Farms (200 years or more).
The designations of a Historic Family Farm are:
The same family must have ownership (title of the land or proof of land contract) for a minimum of 100 consecutive years. Leasing or sharecropping does not qualify as ownership. Note: Land in the process of being sold or transferred to a non-relative is not eligible.
Line of ownership from the first family member owning the land may be through wives, husbands, children, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, or cousins. Legally adopted family members are recognized equally with blood relatives.
The owner or a family member must sign the registration application.
For land in a trust or in the name of a corporation: proof must be submitted that the land remains in the family by submitting a copy of the articles of incorporation showing that only family members are members of the corporation or a copy of the trust document showing that only family members are beneficiaries of the trust.
After receiving a Historic Family Farm designation: in order to keep the designation, the family must continue ownership of the farm and the farm must continue to be engaged in agricultural activities.
There are nine farms in Morrow County within the scope of this program. You can find a list of all Historic Family Farms in the Buckeye State here.
If your family is not listed, or to receive more information on the program please visit the Ohio Historic Family Farms site or call the Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District at (419) 946-7923.
Sources:
“Ohio’s Historic Family Farms Program.” The Ohio Department of Agriculture, agri.ohio.gov/programs/farmland-preservation-office/ohio-historic-family-farms. Accessed 2024.
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