Family farms in Berks, Blair, Cambria, Luzerne, Perry, Schuylkill, and Snyder counties earn historic designations.
Governor Josh Shapiro has continued Pennsylvania’s national leadership in farmland preservation to protect agricultural land for future generations.
Pennsylvania Furnace, PA – Today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding honored seven centennial farms for having been in the same family for 100 years. He also named a Perry County farm a Bicentennial farm, honoring the Metz family, who have passed down their farm within the family since 1825.
“Today, we celebrate eight farm families who have made tremendous contributions to feeding Pennsylvanians and preserving our agricultural heritage,” Secretary Redding said. “These farms and families have varied histories, yet all have the common attributes of sustainability, durability, and perseverance as caretakers for the land.”
Since the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture started the Century Farm Program in 1977 and the Bicentennial Farm Program in 2004, more than 2,300 farms have been recognized. The state’s second tricentennial farm was recognized during the PA Farm Show in January 2024.
The program’s goal is to emphasize the importance of economic and rural heritage and traditions in Pennsylvania. Today’s recognition ceremony was held at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, an annual agriculture exposition that draws tens of thousands of visitors to learn about the latest agriculture research, technology, equipment, and innovation driving Pennsylvania forward.
Farms owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years are eligible to be named a Pennsylvania Century Farm. A family member must live on the farm, and the property must include at least 10 acres of the original farm or earn more than $1,000 annually from sales of farm products. A total of eight farms that met or exceeded this standard were recognized today.
Richard Metz Jr.’s newly designated Bicentennial farm was deeded in 1825 to Johann Metz, his third great grandfather, for $18. After more than 150 years of family farm lineage, Richard Metz took ownership in 1996. The Metz family farm was a dairy operation until 2020. Today, the original 110 acres have grown to a 147-acre operation that produces soybeans, corn, and hay. The family also raises beef cattle.
Perry County is home to 38 century and eight bicentennial farms.
The seven farms recognized for reaching the century mark today include:
Berks County
El-Jon Farms, Oley Township
Howard Snyder purchased El-Jon Farms on March 30, 1912. The family farm primarily grows corn, beans, wheat, and hay. The original bank barn is still in use. At one point, a sawmill was on the farm, and the trolley from Boyertown to Oley went right through the pasture enroute to Reading. The farm was preserved in 1996 and 137 acres from the original farm are still in use.
Berks County is home to 29 Century and 20 Bicentennial Farms.
Blair County
Clinton and Jessica Black, Tyrone Township
James Black, Clinton and Jessica Black’s great-grandfather, purchased the farm on Dec. 31, 1920. James Black paid $28.57 per acre for 140 acres. James Black supplemented his farm income by working at the Altoona railroad. The original 1890s house and acreage are still used today. The farm was preserved in 1995.
Blair County is home to 10 Century Farms.
Cambria County
Cecilia Partsch, Conemaugh Township
Cecilia Partsch’s grandfather, Frank Partsch purchased her farm for more than $7,900 on April 9, 1924. Frank Partsch was a dairy farmer. He hauled milk from the family farm and surrounding farms to Sani Dairy in Johnstown.
The original barn and house that were built in the 1880s and 90s are still in use. Cecilia Partsch’s father, Harold Partsch took over the farm in 1972. Currently, the farm raises and produces beef and hay. Thirty-five acres of the original farm are still used.
William and Richard Farabaugh and Joseph Burkhart, East Carroll Township
William Farabaugh purchased the family farm of 123 acres for $8,500 on Sept. 24, 1918. William and his wife Adaline had 10 children: eight daughters and two sons. The Farabaugh family introduced the use of the silo to the area. Fifty-eight of the original acres and barn are still in use today on the hay farm.
Cambria County is home to 33 Century Farms.
Luzerne County
Robert Grajewski and Susan Garing, Huntington Township
Robert Grajewski’s great grandmother, Michalene Miedziejko purchased the farm for $1,000 on June 9, 1917. All 50 acres from the original purchase are still in use today. Miedziejko was born in Poland. She farmed alongside her husband, John Miedziejko, who was a coal miner. The farm originally raised mules to work in the mines and later was a poultry operation and produced potatoes.
Grajewski’s grandfather took ownership of the farm in 1924, and his father became owner in 1984. Grajewski took ownership in 2007. The farm was preserved by North Branch Land Trust in 2016.
Luzerne County is home to 18 Century and two Bicentennial Farms.
Schuylkill County
Marbarger Family Farm, Wayne Township
Lewis and John Marbarger purchased the 113-acre farm for $3,277 on March 31, 1896. The family sold feed from the crops produced on the farm. The original farmhouse built in 1800 is still in use today, as are 112 of the original 113 acres.
Today, the farm is primarily a crop operation. Over the years, the farm owners butchered hogs and steers, raised poultry and sold meat and vegetables to the residents of Pottsville. The farm was preserved in 2008.
Schuylkill County is home to 36 Century and four Bicentennial Farms.
Snyder County
Keith and Lori Flanders, Chapman Township
Keith Flanders grandfather, Albert Flanders bought the 65-acre farm for $2,800 in 1920. Albert Flanders worked the family farm while also working at Ulsh’s Feed Mill and Hatchery in Port Trevorton. Albert Flanders and his wife had four sons and four daughters. They had 21 grandchildren, of which Keith is the youngest.
Keith and Lori took over ownership from his parents in 1988. In 1992, the farm began to transition to broiler chickens, which is the primary business today. The original bank barn is still used today.
Snyder County is home to 18 Century and three Bicentennial Farms.
To learn more about Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program and investments in a secure, sustainable future for Pennsylvania, visit agriculture.pa.gov.
Learn how Governor Josh Shapiro’s Economic Development Strategy recognizes agriculture as key to our future economic success. Read more about commonsense investments to keep Pennsylvania agriculture competitive and thriving in Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget and support for Pennsylvania farmers at pa.gov/governor.
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