Any farms more than 150 years old can be recognized through the Minnesota Farm Bureau’s Sesquicentennial Farm program. The deadline to sign up for this year’s program is April 1.

Since the Sesquicentennial Farm program began in 2008, more than 150 farms have been recognized. The Sesquicentennial Farm program recognizes family farms according to the following qualifications:

—The farm must be at least 150 years old this year according to the abstract of title, land patent, original deed, county land records, court file in registration proceedings or other authentic land records. Please do not send originals or copies of records.

—The family must have owned the farm for 150 years or more. “Family” is defined as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, first cousins and direct in-laws (father, mother, brother, sister, daughter, son-in-law).

—Continuous residence on farm is not required, but ownership must be continuous.

—The farm should consist of 50 or more acres, and be involved in agricultural production.

The Century Farm program recognizes family farms according to the same qualifications as the Sesquicentennial Farm program, except the farm must be at least 100 years old as of 2014 and must have been owned by the family for 100 years.

A commemorative certificate signed by the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation President Kevin Paap, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson and Governor Mark Dayton will be awarded to qualifying families, along with an outdoor sign signifying Sesquicentennial Farm recognition. For the Century Farm families, a commemorative certificate will be signed by the president of the State Fair, Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap and Governor Mark Dayton, along with an outdoor sign signifying Century Farm recognition.

Applications are available for either the Sesquicentennial or Century Farm recognition by contacting the Regional Farm Bureau Office at 342 West Bridge Street, Owatonna, 55060, at scfb@fbmn.org or by calling the Regional Farm Bureau office at 507-455-0745. Applications are also available on the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation website, www.fbmn.org Deadline for application is April 1. Previously recognized families should not reapply.

Century Farms are not automatically recognized as Sesquicentennial Farms. Families must apply to receive Sesquicentennial Farm recognition. County Farm Bureaus are encouraged to work with county agriculture societies and county fair boards on local recognition of recipients. Recipients will be announced at the beginning of June.