HARRISBURG, Pa. — During Penn State’s Ag Progress days on Thursday, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding honored Charlotte E. Sunday, whose Lenhartsville, Berks County farm reached the Bicentennial Farm milestone, having been in her family since 1822.
(Pictured above: Hartman Family Farm, Century Farm of Somerset County.)
Redding also honored 17 families whose farms earned Century Farm status for being in the same family for 100 years.
Families from Armstrong, Berks, Blair, Centre, Columbia, Erie, Fulton, Jefferson, Juniata, Northumberland, Perry, Somerset, and York Counties have earned the designation for their commitment to feeding Pennsylvania and sustaining our economy.
“These families have devoted their lives and their legacies to feeding their neighbors here and around the world,” said Secretary Redding. “They are stewards, protecting our land, water and soil, and inspiring the future generations that will put food on our tables. We are here not just because these farms have stood the test of time, but because of the decisions made by generations of families to persevere and thrive in agriculture no matter what comes their way.”
Since the Century Farm program’s inception in 1977 and 2004 when the Bicentennial Farm program began, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has recognized nearly 2,300 farms. Farms receive a sign they can post on their property noting the designation.
A family member must live on the farm on a permanent basis. The farm must consist of at least 10 acres of the original parcel or gross more than $1,000 annually from the sale of farm products.
Following is a list of Century and Bicentennial Farms honored today:
Armstrong County
David and Heather Harkleroad’s Rural Valley farm was bought by his great grandparents in 1915. The family still uses the original bank barn and the home was built in 1919. Today, the 65.87-acre farm is a cattle operation.
Armstrong County is home to 58 century farms and five bicentennial farms.
Berks County
Charlotte E. Sunday’s Bicentennial farm in Lenhartsville was purchased by her late husband George Suntag’s great, great, great grandfather in 1820 for $2.93 an acre. Of the original 192-plus acres, 156.1 acres and some original farm buildings are still in use on the crop and heifer farm. The farm was preserved in 2020 to remain a productive farm perpetually.
Robert D. Yanos’ Douglassville Farm was purchased by his grandfather in 1921. He still raises beef and grows crops on the original 86 acres.
Berks County is home to 34 century and 11 bicentennial farms.
Blair County
Elizabeth W. Jacobus’ father Gilbert Watts, who served at one time as president of the PA Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, purchased her farm in 1922. The farm’s 1923 fruit market thrived through the Great Depression, becoming what is now Packing House Market on Rt. 220. The market sells Christmas trees, wreaths and greens.
Today, Jacobus’ daughter Betty runs the farm raising Angus cattle. The farm is one of nine Century Farms in Blair County.
Centre County
Thomas D. and Laura J. Gardner’s 127-acre Bellefonte farm was originally purchased in 1913 by the current owner’s great, great grandfather, John Hutchinson Lutz. Lutz passed the farm down through the family line to owners including David Lamb, the founder of Bellefonte. Lutz had purchased the farm after his family’s farm was taken by eminent domain to build Rockview State Penitentiary.
Ronald and Candace Wasson’s State College farm was purchased by Ronald’s great grandparents in 1922 for $82. The Wassons have farmed 46.85 of the original 219.19 acres since they purchased them in 1997.
In 1782, the family home on the farm was built by Revolutionary War General John Patton, who was given the land by General George Washington in recognition of his service to the new country.
Previous owners also include William “Buck” Taylor, who performed in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.
Centre County is home to 41 century farms and two bicentennial farms.
Columbia County
Jerry D. and Brian D. Davis farm all 88 acres of the Catawissa land originally bought by their great-grandfather William D. Davis in 1889. Davis had emigrated to the U.S. from Wales and was a prospector in the 1849 Gold Rush, and later a coal miner in Centralia. The Davis Covered Bridge, built in 1887, was named after him.
Columbia County is home to 28 century farms and 2 bicentennial farms.
Erie County
Bruce and Susan Yatzor’s Edinboro Farm was purchased by Bruce’s grandfather Melvin Flickinger in 1910. The family raises bees, chickens, cows, hay, and vegetables.
Erie County is home to 39 century farms.
Fulton County
Anthony and Barbara Onorato’s Shady Spring Farm in McConnellsburg was originally purchased by his great, great uncle and aunt Barney and Grace Bivens in 1922. The farm is now an agritourism business hosting farm stays in the 1880s farmhouse.
Fulton County is home to 11 century farms and one bicentennial farm.