Century Farm and Ranch Program

The Century Farm and Ranch Program was created to recognize farm and ranch families with century-long connections to the land and Douglas County's rich agricultural heritage. The program is administered through Foster Creek Conservation District in cooperation with the Do. Co. Commissioners. Successful applicants receive a certificate signed by the Do. Co. Commissioners. A metal sign, suitable for hanging on a gate or post, identifying their historic Century Farm or Century Ranch is also available to the family.

NEW!!! Heritage Homestead Program

Foster Creek Conservation District is proud to announce the newest recognition program for those Douglas County families with long-term connections to the land.  This program was specifically designed for those families that have farmed/ranched or used to farm/ranch for the past century, still own the land, but may not be engaged in active farming or ranching.  For more information, see link:

Heritage Homestead Word Doc  

Qualifications

Century Farm and Ranch Program

1.   Your farm or ranch must have been operated continuously in the same family for 100 years or more.  The line of ownership from the first family member owning the land to the current owner(s) must be through wives, husbands, grandparents, siblings, children, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews or cousins.

2.   A minimum of 40 acres must be farmed or ranched.    A significant amount of your yearly earnings must be from agricultural or livestock income.

3.   If you don’t live on the farm or ranch, you must live within 20 miles and actively manage and direct the farming or ranching activity on the land.  If the entire farm or ranch has ever been rented or leased to anyone other than family members, it will not qualify.

4.   We recognize the significance of CRP in Douglas County .  It is a crop which is up to a 15-year rotation.  If you are the owner/operator and receive 100% of the payments for CRP and also meet the above mentioned requirements, you will be eligible.

5.   All applications must include verification of continuous family ownership for 100 years. Acceptable proof includes a document showing date of earliest ownership.  This may be a Donation Land Claim, Deed of Sale, Tax Statement or other documents. Also a deed of sale or tax statement showing each succession of ownership through the generations.  The Douglas County Assessor & Auditors office should have the information you need. Please do not send us the original form, have it photo copied. 

6.   We understand that farming and ranching families sometimes     have complicated land ownership issues which may make it difficult to define the owner/operator for the past century.  If necessary, attach an explanation of the family ownership and/or operation.  If it is not clear to the approval committee your application may be denied.  If it is denied, there is an appeal process for the applicants in which a more in-depth review of the application would take place.     

7.   Applications must be submitted on official forms provided by FCCD for the Century Farm & Ranch Program with all the questions completed.  Please print or type all answers.  Applications are accepted at any time.  Please make sure they are signed.

Fees

A $50.00 fee is required with the application.    Please make your check payable to Foster Creek Conservation District.

Application Forms

Word Version          PDF Version

Where to send Completed Application Form

          When you have completed the form and gathered all the necessary documentation please send a copy with fee payment to:

Century Farm & Ranch Program

Foster Creek Conservation District

P O Box 428