The three-generation Robert and Barbara Thompson family of Hartly was named the state’s newest Century Farm Thursday. The family has farmed the property since 1911. (Delaware State News/Jennifer Antonik)
HARRINGTON — A Kent County farm founded before the World War I was recognized Thursday as Delaware’s newest Century Farm.
The Thompson family, which owns a 77-acre farm near Hartly, was honored with the Century Farm Award at a ceremony at Delaware Ag Week at the State Fairgrounds in Harrington.
“Hard-working families are the bedrock of Delaware’s agricultural prosperity,” Gov. Jack Markell said. “Multiple generations of farm families, such as the Thompsons, make our state and industry stronger and improve our quality of life, while keeping alive a strong tradition of excellence.”
The Thompson family, headed by Robert C. and Barbara J. Thompson, raises poultry and grows grain on their farm, which previously raised dairy cows, laying hens, tomatoes, peaches, apples and wheat. The farm has been in the family since 1911.
Delaware has 130 Century farms, which must be owned by the same family for at least 100 years and must include at least 10 acres of the parcel or gross more than $10,000 annually in agricultural sales. The Century Farm Awards have been presented annually since 1987.
“Delaware’s $1.3 billion agricultural economy is strengthened daily by our families, which own 99 percent of our state’s farms,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee. “As new generations step up and carry on our agricultural heritage, we look forward to having more farms inducted into this program in the years to come.”