Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

ROCK SPRINGS — State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding on Thursday honored seven centennial farms for having been in the same family for 100 years. He also named a Perry County farm a bicentennial farm, honoring the Metz family, who have passed down their farm within the family since 1825.

“Today, we celebrate eight farm families who have made tremendous contributions to feeding Pennsylvanians and preserving our agricultural heritage,” Redding said. “These farms and families have varied histories, yet all have the common attributes of sustainability, durability and perseverance as caretakers for the land.”

Three area farms are included in the seven centennial farms.

The Clinton and Jessica Black Farm in Tyrone Township, Blair County, was recognized.

James Black, Clinton and Jessica Black’s great-grandfather, purchased the farm on Dec. 31, 1920. James Black paid $28.57 per acre for 140 acres. James Black supplemented his farm income by working at the Altoona railroad. The original 1890s house and acreage are still used today. The farm was preserved in 1995.

Two Cambria County farms were named centennial farms — the Cecilia Partsch farm in Conemaugh Township and the William and Richard Farabaugh and Joseph Burkhart Farm in East Carroll Township.

Cecilia Partsch’s grandfather, Frank Partsch purchased her farm for more than $7,900 on April 9, 1924. Frank Partsch was a dairy farmer. He hauled milk from the family farm and surrounding farms to Sani Dairy in Johnstown.

The original barn and house that were built in the 1880s and 90s are still in use. Cecilia Partsch’s father, Harold Partsch took over the farm in 1972. Currently, the farm raises and produces beef and hay. Thirty-five acres of the original farm are still used.

William Farabaugh purchased the family farm of 123 acres for $8,500 on Sept. 24, 1918. William and his wife Adaline had 10 children: eight daughters and two sons. The Farabaugh family introduced the use of the silo to the area. Fifty-eight of the original acres and barn are still in use today on the hay farm.

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 been recognized. The state’s second tricentennial farm was recognized during the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January 2024.

The program’s goal is to emphasize the importance of economic and rural heritage and traditions in Pennsylvania. Thursday’s recognition ceremony was held at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, an annual agriculture exposition that draws tens of thousands of visitors to learn about the latest agriculture research, technology, equipment and innovation driving Pennsylvania forward.