Staff Report

Tradition and heritage play a big part in making agriculture such an attractive way of life for so many Californians. The lifeblood of the existence of farms and ranches in California, provide food, fuel and fiber for the world. The history of these farms and ranches is rich, with many stories to tell. In that spirit, Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau is launching the 2020 program to honor those family farms that have passed down this heritage for more than a century.

The Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau will be recognizing families whose farms have been in the same family for 100 years. To qualify for Century Farm recognition, the following criteria must be met:

  • Ownership within the same family for 100 years or more by Dec. 31, 2020, with at least 10 acres of the original Santa Barbara County farmland.
  • Present owner must be related to original owner.
  • Application must be submitted to the SBCFB office by deadline date, July 1, 2020.

Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau will also be recognizing families whose farms have been in the same family for 125 or 150 years. To qualify for Quasquicentennial Farm, or 125-year, recognition, the following criteria must be met:

  • Ownership within the same family for 125 years or more by Dec. 31, 2020, with at least 10 acres of the original Santa Barbara County farmland.
  • Present owner must be related to original owner.
  • Application must be submitted to the SBCFB office by deadline date, July 1, 2020.

To qualify for Sesquicentennial Farm, or 150-year, recognition, the following criteria must be met:

  • Ownership within the same family for 150 years or more by Dec. 31, 2020, with at least 10 acres of the original Santa Barbara County farmland.
  • Present owner must be related to original owner.
  • Application must be submitted to the SBCFB office by deadline date, July 1, 2020.

Qualifying applicants will receive a certificate, a decorative farm sign designating farm status and will be recognized during their Celebrate Harvest event.

For more information call the SBC Farm Bureau at 805-688-7479 or email farmsbc@hwy246.net.