January 18, 2007

Alachua County And Osceola County Properties Recognized As Century Pioneer Family Farms

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson announced today that the Tillman-Hogan Ranch in Alachua County and Kempfer Family Farm in Osceola County have qualified for recognition as Century Pioneer Family Farms. Recognition in this program means the families have maintained continuous ownership of the property for at least 100 years.

“These families have been able to retain ownership of their land through the depression, droughts, freezes and the urbanization of Florida,” Bronson said. “That is a great tribute to the many generations of these families.”

The Tillman-Hogan Ranch, which is owned by R.J. and Joan Hogan, has always been a cow/calf operation.

The Kempfer property is an amazing 25,000 acres, where the family produces timber for its sawmill, has a commercial cattle/calf operation, a sod farm and raises purebred Brahman cattle.

Since the program began 26 years ago, 126 family farms have received the Century Pioneer Family Farm designation. The program is administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services with assistance of the Florida Agricultural Museum.

For more information:
Richard Gunnels
(850) 488-3022
gunnelr@doacs.state.fl.us