Extension seeks old farms to recognize

The search is on again for Missouri farms that have been in the same family 100 years or more.

Fifty-six Cape Girardeau County farms have been recognized as Century Farms since the program was launched in 1976. The farm must be owned by the same family for 100 years or more. The family must consist of direct descendants only: sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters and so on.

The farm must consist of no fewer than 40 acres and still make a financial contribution to overall farm income.

Two Cape Girardeau County farms were designated as Century Farms in 2001. Jimmy E. and Verla M. Oldham currently own their family farm in Cape Gir-ardeau County. It has been in the family for several generations. In the abstract, it states that Verla's great-great-great-great-grandfather, William Moore, purchased 132 acres in 1846 for $260. He later purchased another 14.25 acres in 1858 for $1.75. The farm is used for hay and pasture for cattle.

The Devore family farm, located on Route A outside of Whitewater, Mo., is owned by Jack L. and Janice Devore and Azalea Devore. William Miles and Margaret Strong Devore purchased 100 acres of the farm in December 1866.

Cape Girardeau County has one of the older farms in the program: the Williams Farm, which began operation in 1796.

Applications this year must be returned by July 4. Entry forms are available from the local extension office at Jackson or from the University of Missouri Century Farm office at (573) 882-7216.

"In 1987, nine Cape County farms were named to the century list," said Gerald Bryan of the local extension office. "Ten were added in 1988, and two each in 1989 and 1990."

The Century Farm program is administered jointly by the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Agriculture and University Extension along with the Cape Girardeau County Extension Council as co-sponsor.

For more information, see outreach.missouri.edu/ centuryfarm.