Michigan Centennial Farm Program

The Centennial Farm Program recognizes farms that have remained in the same family for one hundred years or more and highlights the family farm's contributions to Michigan's development. To be designated as a Centennial Farms a property must be a working farm of 10 or more acres that has been continuously owned by the same family for at least 100 years.

The Michigan Centennial Farm program is part of the Historical Society of Michigan, the state's official historical society and its oldest cultural organization, founded in 1828. The first Centennial Farms were designated by the State of Michigan's Michigan Historical Commission beginning in 1948 with support from Detroit Edison Company, Consumers Power Company, local electrical cooperatives and farm groups. The program was transferred from the State of Michigan's Michigan Historical Commission to the Historical Society of Michigan in 2008.

Michigan Centennial Farm owners receive a certificate from the Historical Society of Michigan and a display marker for their farm. The official green-and-yellow markers are sponsored by Michigan electrical utility companies to commemorate the dramatic changes electricity brought to farm operation and family life. All Centennial Farm families are provided a one-year membership in the Historical Society of Michigan which includes publications, access to historical conferences, a highlight section on awarded farms in the Society's quarterly magazine the Chronicle and much more.

Our sponsors provide significant financial support to operate the Centennial Farm program. We deeply appreciate their support which makes it possible for this program to thrive and grow. DTE Energy Foundation and Consumers Energy are the lead sponsors of the Centennial Farm program. Michigan Electric Cooperative Assocaciation, (MECA) also provides support for the program.

Centennial Farm families are also eligible for membership in the Michigan Centennial Farm Association, an affinity group of farmers who have obtained Centennial and/or Sesquicentennial farm status. The Association was established in 1955.

The Historical Society of Michigan also offers a Sesquicentennial Farm Program to recognize, upon request, certified Centennial Farms that have been owned by the same family for 150 years or longer. Please see our Apply/Order page for applications for Centennial and Sesquicentennial certification or for an order form to purchase replacement markers.

Major Program Sponsors:

Also Sponsored By: