July 31, 2007
Two Florida Properties Recognized As Century Pioneer Family Farms
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today announced that the Susan Allen Galis White’s and Ralph Cox’s properties 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.
Susan White’s 535-acre property is located in Bay County and has been used for beef cattle production in the past, but is currently a pine tree farm with a small 25-acre pecan orchard. Ralph Cox’s property is located on Highway 65-A in Gadsden County and borders the Georgia state line. In the past, it produced corn, peanuts and hay, but most of the years it was in shade tobacco production. The 258-acre property is also now a pine tree farm.
Since the program began 26 years ago, 133 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 about the program or to apply for membership, visit www.florida-agriculture.com/marketing/century_pioneers.htm or contact Richard Gunnels at gunnelr@doacs.state.fl.us or (850) 488-3022.
For more information:
Richard Gunnels
(850) 488-3022
gunnelr@doacs.state.fl.us
