Sesquicentennial, century farm and home applications available

Owners of farms or homes (in whole or part) that have been in the family for 100 years or 150 years are eligible to apply for the 2012 Century Farm or Home Award or the 2012 Sesquicentennial Farm or Home Award.

The Century Farm and Home Program began in 1948 in conjunction with the State of Wisconsin’s Centennial Celebration. The Sesquicentennial Program originated in 1998 as part of the State’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. In 2011, 168 property owners were honored.

Century and Sesquicentennial Farm awards will be presented during a special program at the Wisconsin State Fair Aug. 2-12. Honorees will receive complimentary fair admission tickets, an invitation to the awards breakfast sponsored by Hillshire Farms, a commemorative photo, certificate and outdoor display sign provided by Hillshire farm, a longtime program sponsor. The tentative date for the breakfast is Aug. 7. Details of the event will be mailed to accepted applicants by mid June.

To qualify for the award, families are required to provide proof of continuous family ownership for either the last 100 or 150 years. Title of the century property or title of the sesquicentennial property today must reside in a blood relative of the original owner, or a legally adopted child of a descendant. Continuous residence in the state or on the property is not required, but the title to the property must be continuous. An abstract of title is the best evidence of continuous family ownership.

“It is so exciting to know that St. Croix County has a rich heritage. The quality of living and the sense of community are such that families have made this County their home for over 100 years. There have been 121 families that have received this wonderful award. My hope is that this number keeps growing every year,” said Beth Pabst, Register of Deeds for St. Croix County.

Application forms available at the Register of Deeds Office at the St. Croix County Government Center at 1101 Carmichael Road in Hudson. For more information email bethp@co.saint-croix.wi.us or call the office, (715) 386-4650.

Applications are due by March 1, and only one certificate is issued per property.

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