HURON, S.D.(DRGNews)- One of the kickoff events for the South Dakota State Fair in Huron each year is a program recognizing farms and ranches in the state that have been in the same family for 100 years or longer.

The South Dakota Farm Bureau and the state Department of Agriculture Ag and Natural Resources will host the Century Farm and Ranch Program Thursday (Sept. 1, 2022) at 10am on the Dakotaland Stage.

Farm Bureau President Scott Vanderwal of Volga says they’ve honored over 3000 families since the program started 1984.

Vanderwal enjoys getting to meet nearly all of the families recognized each year.

He says some families share a little of their farm or ranch’s history.

Vanderwal says to qualify to receive the 100, 125 or 150 year old farm or ranch designation does take some effort.

The program begins by recognizing Century Farms, then goes to the 125 year (Quasquicentennial) designations and finishes with the 150 year (Sesquicentennial) farms and ranches.

This year’s South Dakota State Fair runs from Sept. 1-5, 2022.