Has your farmland been in your family for at least 100 years? The Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation District and North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences (NCDA CS) would like to acknowledge those who have kept a farm in their family for many generations.
North Carolina has a rich agricultural heritage and the Century Farm family program celebrates the many contributions farming has and continues to make to the state.
If you think you may qualify, read the requirements below and reach out to our staff if you have further questions!
Requirements to become a Century Farm Family
- Ownership of Property by Family for 100 Years of More: This can be determined from an abstract of title or original records such as original deed or land patents. Other authentic land records may be acceptable in some cases.
- Continuous Family Ownership: The farm (in whole or in part) must have been in continuous family ownership. Title to the century property today must reside in a blood relative of the original owner, or a legally adopted child of the descendant. Continuous residence in the state or on the property is not required, but the title to the property must be continuous. An abstract of title is the best evidence of continuous family ownership.
- Only One Certificate Issued Per Property: There shall be only one certificate issued for a piece of property. For example, a descendant may not receive another certificate if a former owner or relative has already received a certificate for the same property.
If you need more information, please call Ariel Zijp, Farmland Preservation Manager at 828-250-4794 or email ariel.zijp@buncombecounty.org.
Download application here.
Mail applications to:
NCDA&CS Public Affairs Division
1001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1001
For more information on the Century Farm Program, please click here.
If you have questions about the application process, please contact Andrea Ashby at 919-707-3004 or andrea.ashby@ncagr.gov.