Did you know that the Wyoming Centennial Farm and Ranch program annually honors families who have owned and operated the same farm or ranch for 100 years or longer?

Do you know why Wyoming’s Centennial farms and ranches are so important?

It takes hard work and determination to remain in agriculture for 100 years or more. Wyoming’s centennial families embody those traits and have stayed on the same piece of land in spite of economic hard times, drought, development pressure and other man-made and natural threats, the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office says.

The history of these centennial families helps tell Wyoming’s story and highlights the importance of agriculture in the state.

Centennial families are honored each year at a special luncheon ceremony on the last Saturday of the Wyoming State Fair. Families receive a framed certificate and a large Wyoming Centennial Farm and Ranch sign to display on their property. They may also share their story through a yearbook published by the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

The acknowledgement of being a Centennial family is honorary and does not place any requirements or expectations on the family.

If you and your family, or your friends or neighbors, qualify, you can apply to be a Centennial Farm and Ranch honoree. The application form is available on the SHPO website, wyoshpo.state.wy.us/index.php/programs/centennial-farm-ranch. The deadline for 2021 applications is July 2. 

Call the Centennial Farm and Ranch Coordinator, Renée Bovée, at 307-777-6312 or via email at renee.bovee@wyo.gov with any questions.

Wyoming Centennial Farm and Ranch partners include: Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office, Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Wyoming Wool Growers Association, Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Wyoming Rural Electric Association, Wyoming Business Council and the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.