As part of Manitoba’s 150th birthday, Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen announced they will be adding a new category to the province’s Farm Family Recognition program.
“Agriculture has changed greatly over the past 150 years and it’s important that we recognize those families that have been involved in the industry for generations,” Pedersen says. “With technology advancing at such a rapid rate, it’s exciting to think of where we may be 150 years from now, but it’s important that we don’t forget our past.”
The Legacy Farm award has been created to celebrate farm families that have 150 consecutive years as a Manitoba Farm Family. According to a news release, to be eligible for the award, the land must have been held in continuous ownership by direct descendants of the original owner, with a minimum land area of at least 20.23 hectares (50 acres) over the life of the farm.
The Century farm award for 100 years and the Heritage farm award for 125 years will remain available for those who are eligible.
“Going back 150 years ago about 90 per cent of the population were farmers. These farms produced enough to feed their families, with limited surplus to trade or export,” Pedersen adds. “Now about four per cent of our population are actively farming and agriculture production is a key economic driver in our province.”
The first Century award was recognized in 1981. Since then, there have been more than 1,810 farms that have received the award with an additional 97 farms receiving the Heritage Farm award since the first was recognized in 2010.
For more information on the Manitoba Family Farm Recognition program, click here.