March 7, 2007
Panhandle And Central Florida Properties Recognized As Century Pioneer Family Farms
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has announced that the Dwight W. Wilson property in Polk County and Adams Farms, Inc., in Walton County have qualified 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 Wilson property is currently growing citrus, but produced strawberries, watermelon and field peas in the past. The Adams property consists of 1,600 acres, where peanuts, cotton, corn were produced, as well as a cow/calf operation. The property is the site where former Florida Supreme Court Justice Alto Adams was born.
Since the program began 26 years ago, 128 farm families have received the Century Pioneer Family Farm designation. The program is administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services with assistance from the Florida Agricultural Museum.
For more information about the program or to apply for membership into the program contact Richard Gunnels at gunnelr@doacs.state.fl.us or (850) 488-3022 or visit http://www.florida-agriculture.com/marketing/century_pioneers.htm.
For more information:
Richard Gunnels
(850) 488-3022
gunnelr@doacs.state.fl.us
