Keeping a farm or homestead in the family for more than 100 or 150 years is truly a great accomplishmen. And that’s something that the Wisconsin State Fair wants to recognize through their Century and Sesquicentennial Farm and Home Award.
To qualify, families must provide proof of continuous ownership of a Wisconsin property for the last 100 or 150 years. The Century and Sesquicentennial Farm and Home Award Program will celebrate all honorees on Tuesday, August 5. The program is part of the 2025 Wisconsin State Fair. The fair runs July 31 to August 10 at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis.
Honorees will receive complimentary Fair admission tickets, an invitation to the awards breakfast, commemorative photo, certificate, as well as an outdoor display sign.
The Century Farm and Home Program began in 1948 during Wisconsin’s Centennial Celebration and has honored over 10,000 properties. Wisconsin introduced the Sesquicentennial Program in 1998 for its 150th anniversary and has recognized over 1,100 families.
Applications for the 2025 Century and Sesquicentennial Farm and Home Award are available now. They must be postmarked by the application deadline Saturday, March 1, 2025. Only one certificate may be issued per property.
To request a copy of either application, contact jill Albanese, Director of Competitive Exhibits, at 414-777-0580, or write to Century or Sesquicentennial Farm and Home Program at 640 S 84th Street West Allis, WI 53214.
One of last year’s recipients, the Mayer family, has a rich history that dates back to 1853 when it was homesteaded by the family.
Another past recipient has witnessed countless hardships, from the Great Depression to the daily struggles of farm life. Jane Casper fondly recalls her grandmother’s unwavering strength, running the farm alone while her grandfather worked miles away to save it.
