Marking a milestone: State ag department recognizes Centre County farm as Bicentennial Farm

State ag department recognizes Centre County farm as Bicentennial Farm

WARRIORS MARK -- A Centre County farm was recently recognized as a Bicentennial Farm.

The Barron and Lynn Stine farm on Halfmoon Valley Road in Halfmoon Township near Warriors Mark dates back to 1813, when Jonas and Samuel Stine purchased the farm from Richard and Rebecca Saddler.

The Stine farm had been recognized as a Century Farm in 2007.

Since the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture started the Century Farm program in 1977 and the Bicentennial Farm Program in 2004, more than 2,300 farms have earned recognition.

The program's goal is to emphasize the importance of economic and rural heritage and traditions in Pennsylvania.

"These farm families who have made tremendous contributions to feeding Pennsylvanians and preserving our agricultural heritage," said state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. "These farms and families have varied histories, yet all share a deep commitment to future generations, as well as sustainability, durability and perseverance as caretakers of the land."

"Pennsylvania's Century Farms tell a powerful story of families who have worked the same lands for generations, preserving not just their livelihoods, but a way of life that defines our Commonwealth," said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. "By honoring these multi-generational farms and continuing to invest in farmland preservation, we're ensuring that agriculture remains strong, sustainable and rooted in Pennsylvania communities for generations to come."

Greg Love, a Halfmoon Township supervisor, had encouraged the Stines to seek the Bicentennial Farm designation.

"I am in the process of land preservation, that program is what brought about this, it has been in the family for so long it should be recognized. Preserving the farm put us on the radar, that was the first cog in the wheel," said Jeff Stine.

"I feel proud that we have been able to keep it in the family and that throughout the different generations have been able to adapt and persevere through the different obstacles that have presented themselves," said Greg Stine.

Jeff and Greg are Barron and Lynn's sons and sixth-generation members.

Pennsylvania leads the nation in preserved farms. Since 1988, when voters statewide overwhelmingly supported creating the state's Farmland Preservation Program, Pennsylvania has protected 6,759 farms and 669,854 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing more than $1.82 billion in state, county and local funds.

The original Stine farm consisted of about 417 acres, but today has about 192 acres.

The farm has been passed down through the generations. Jonas Stine was Barron's great-great-uncle, while Samuel was his great-great-grandfather.

According to the Stines, Samuel passed the farm to his son, Abednego, who passed it on to his son, John, Barron's grandfather; John passed it on to his son, Elwood, Barron's father; and Elwood passed it on to Barron about 1993.

The farm was a dairy farm until about 2000 with 60 dairy cows.

"We would have had to do some expensive updates to keep going, we couldn't afford to do it," Lynn Stine said.

The cows were sold to a larger dairy in the area.

Today, the Stines raise beef cattle.

"We have 20 beef cattle, (and) the vast majority are sold privately for meat. We have clients who buy freezer beef, they are all grass feed beef," Jeff Stine said. "If you want a half and another guy wants a half, we transport it to the butcher who takes your investment. The butcher takes care of everything for you."

A portion of the farm is leased to Conrad Farms.

"We have been leasing land for over 20 years to grow crops to feed dairy cattle. We also leased a barn from them for several years. They have always been good to get along with," said owner Sam Conrad Jr.

Another portion of the farm is leased to Joe Rose, who has raised whitetail deer for about 10 years.

Rose speaks highly of the Stine family.

"The biggest way to describe Barry and Lynn is consistency, they are just always there working hard. Barry, there is not a day he is not out there working on the farm. I have never seen a man as happy as Barry when he is on top of some type of machinery," Rose said.

The farm is entirely family operated, with Barron, Jeff and Greg running the farm today.

The Stines face challenges, including rising costs.

"We constantly re-evaluate the beef side for pricing. It costs twice as much to purchase today from when we started raising beef," Jeff Stine said.

"To me another challenge is keeping farm land, farm land, keeping it going for the next generation, what will happen to it when Jeff and Greg are done with it," Lynn Stine said.

The Stine Family Farm was the 2025 recipient of Centre County Conservation District's Outstanding Conservation Farmer Award, as the Stine family is an excellent example of conservation stewardship in Centre County.

According to the conservation district, the family recently completed a project with the Conservation District, NRCS and Chesapeake Conservancy to add a roofed animal heavy use area to their operation in order to provide winter confinement for the beef herd. The farm simultaneously added a rotational grazing system and two stream crossings to keep cows out of the stretch of Halfmoon Creek that runs through their property. The Stines have been regular participants in the District's cover crop program and hosted a farm tour for conservation professionals and community members to see up-close the best management practices they have added to their operation.

The Stines hope they can keep the farm going for at least another generation. They have a tradition at the farm to keep the whole family involved.

"Sunday is family day. Everyone comes for lunch and spends the day at the farm -- kids and grandkids. We spend Sunday as a family day," Lynn Stine said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.