MHS accepting applications for Centennial Farm and Ranch properties

The Montana Historical Society (MHS) is now accepting applications for the Centennial Farm and Ranch program. New inductees will receive a framed certificate signed by the governor, recognition at the Ag Day ceremony in the State Capitol during the 2021 legislative session, the ranch/farm history printed online and in our periodic Centennial Farm and Ranch yearbook, and a durable roadside sign. These 24-inch by 36-inch UV-coated metal signs are a new addition to the program this year, thanks to support from the Montana Department of Agriculture and the Donnelley Family Foundation.

Since 2009, the MHS Centennial Farm and Ranch program has recognized our state’s agricultural traditions by celebrating the perseverance and stewardship of Montana families on their farms and ranches. By honoring families that have owned their land for 100 years or more, we help preserve Montana’s strong agricultural roots and the stories and traditions that define our rural communities.

Requirements for induction include:

• Must be a working farm or ranch with a minimum of 160 acres or if fewer than 160 acres, must have gross yearly income of at least $1,000.

• One current owner must be a Montana resident.

• Proof of founding date and continuous ownership by members of the same family beginning with the founder and concluding with the present owner, spanning minimally 100 years. Line of ownership may be through spouses, children, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, or adopted children. For homesteaded properties, ownership begins with claim filing date (not patent date).

Applications for this year’s cycle will be accepted until December 1, 2020. To download all requirements and the application, visit http://bit.ly/MTCFRapp.