HARRISBURG, PA — Agriculture is more than an industry in Pennsylvania—it’s a way of life passed down through generations. This legacy was celebrated on Friday at the 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show, where Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding honored eight families with the prestigious Pennsylvania Century Farm designation, and another family with the Bicentennial Farm title. These awards recognize farms that have stayed in the same family for 100 and 200 years, respectively, and emphasize the dedication of these stewards of the land to preserving the state’s agricultural roots.
“Reflecting on this year’s Farm Show theme, Powering Pennsylvania, these families represent the heartbeat of our agricultural heritage,” said Secretary Redding. “Their enduring commitment to feeding communities and supporting our economy pushes Pennsylvania agriculture forward, proving that the work of the past is what powers our prosperous future.”
A Legacy Worth Celebrating
The Century and Bicentennial Farm designations are no ordinary achievements. Since the program’s beginning in 1977, over 2,340 farms have been recognized for reaching 100 years in continuous family ownership, with an additional 84 earning the 200-year honor. Farms that have held land in the same family for generations symbolize resilience and steadfast dedication. They also stand as a testament to the importance of farmland preservation for ensuring agriculture thrives in Pennsylvania.
More than heritage, these farms often serve as models for the state’s broader conservation efforts. Many of the recognized farms are preserved under conservation easements, a key part of Pennsylvania’s national leadership in farmland preservation. This ensures agricultural lands remain protected from developmental encroachment for future generations. Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration proudly continues this tradition, preserving 333 farms and over 27,500 acres since 2023.
Honorees at the 2025 Farm Show
Friday’s ceremony brought attention to farms from across the state, highlighting the diversity and history of agriculture from Bedford to Berks counties. Here are the families recognized for their dedication and hard work:
- Bedford County
- Dennis and Sandra Millin (Everett)
The Millin family’s farm, first purchased in 1874, represents 201.5 acres of historical and agricultural significance. The property boasts a pre-1874 log structure and a farmhouse recently updated to reflect the current owners’ pride in their land.
- Dennis and Sandra Millin (Everett)
- Berks County (Bicentennial Farm)
- Mark and Kim Weber (Mohnton)
Operating since 1784, the Weber family farm is one of Berks County’s oldest agricultural sites. The seventh generation continues to manage this preserved crop farm, ensuring it remains productive for years to come.
- Mark and Kim Weber (Mohnton)
- Lancaster County
- Daniel and Margiann Burkholder (Denver)
Purchased in 1923, Burkholder’s Ever-Green Farm includes 19 actively farmed acres from an original 57. This produce-focused family farm includes original barns and an 18th-century farmhouse. - Lonnie and Stanley Kauffman (Bird-in-Hand)
Thriving as a 103-acre orchard, the Kauffman Family Farm has grown dramatically since its start as a 90-acre operation. The farm and its legacy were celebrated in the 2015 book Faith, Family, and Fruit.
- Daniel and Margiann Burkholder (Denver)
- Lehigh County
- Paul and Nancy Semmel (Schnecksville)
For generations, the Semmel family’s Excelsior Farm has been a model of dairy farm innovation. Preserved and thriving, this farm achieved milestones such as being Pennsylvania Power and Light’s first all-electric operation.
- Paul and Nancy Semmel (Schnecksville)
- Lycoming County
- Adam and Shannan Kinley (Cogan Station)
Managed by the Kinleys since 1904, this beef and row crop operation stands on 106 acres of family land. The Grove Cemetery within the property adds significant historical value.
- Adam and Shannan Kinley (Cogan Station)
- Perry County
- Carol Winell Zaitz (Duncannon)
A testament to post-Civil War era agriculture, this family farm spans 129 acres. Its historic structures, including a barn dating to 1880, serve as an enduring reminder of the Zaitz family’s agricultural contributions.
- Carol Winell Zaitz (Duncannon)
- Westmoreland County
- John and Stacy True (Sewickley Township)
Beginning with a 50-acre plot in 1924, the True family’s farm now raises beef, pork, and chickens while maintaining original features like its historic barn. - John and Martha Fetter (Greensburg)
The fourth generation of Fetters continues to raise beef cattle on this 75-acre farm, preserving its heritage and ensuring its bright future.
- John and Stacy True (Sewickley Township)
The Bigger Picture
What makes these recognitions so significant goes far beyond family pride. Pennsylvania agriculture contributes billions of dollars to the state economy each year, yet it relies on a foundational truth—land must be cared for to remain productive. The families behind these farms epitomize this principle, maintaining not only their immediate livelihoods but also the broader agricultural framework that feeds millions of people.
Farmland preservation plays a crucial role in combating urban sprawl and ensuring our state remains agriculturally productive. It’s no surprise that Pennsylvania leads the nation with over 646,000 acres of protected farmland. Programs like the Century and Bicentennial Farm designation serve as powerful reminders of the value of this land—not just for the crops and livestock it produces but for the commitment and legacy it represents.
Celebrating the Past, Ensuring the Future
By recognizing these farms, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture doesn’t just honor history; it highlights hope for the future. These stories of resilience, innovation, and stewardship demonstrate that even in the face of challenges, agriculture in Pennsylvania perseveres.
These Century and Bicentennial Farms are more than parcels of land. They are monuments to family, perseverance, and the profound impact of honoring the past to strengthen our future. Today, and every day, Pennsylvania celebrates the people and legacy that keep our state’s rich agricultural history alive.
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