It’s often said that family farms are the bedrock upon which Iowa is built.

Agriculture is the driving force of rural Iowa’s economy, and farm land is a precious gift that is passed from one generation to the next.

Farms that are kept in the same family through the generations are cherished in our state, and those that have been held in the same family for 100 years are honored as Century Farms.

This week there are 321 family farms being recognized as Century Farms during ceremonies at the Iowa State Fair. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will bestow the honors today on the Terrible’s/Channel 5 Stage.

An even higher honor, the Heritage Farm distinction, goes to farms that have been kept in the same family for 150 years. The Heritage Farm ceremonies will be held Thursday at the fair, where 87 Heritage Farms will be recognized.

The Century Farm program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, with additional sponsorship by Farm Bureau. The program began in 1976 as a part of the nation’s Bicentennial celebrations, and has continued its tradition of honoring more than 15,000 family farms in Iowa.

The Heritage Farm honor was added just last year, on the 30th anniversary of the Century Farm program.