CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Centennial Farm & Ranch Program annually honors families who have owned and operated the same farm or ranch for 100 years or more, and the program’s application period is now open.
The program strives to protect Wyoming’s rural heritage, and more than 300 families have been honored since the reestablishment of the program in 2006.
“The history of Wyoming’s farms and ranches is the history of Wyoming, and its people and Centennial families have played a key role in preserving Wyoming’s heritage,” Wyoming Centennial Farm & Ranch said via press release. “A Centennial farm or ranch embodies the story of a landscape that is uniquely tied to a family’s history. But these farms and ranches are not just a part of history; they remain vital today and hopefully well into the future.”
According to the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office (WSHPO), Wyoming’s ranch and farm lands are disappearing at an alarming rate. Many farmers and ranchers have withstood development pressure, drought and mining threats, and have managed to preserve their land.
“Agriculture produces more than just food; it also maintains open spaces, contributes to the state’s economy and supports family businesses,” WSHPO states on its website. “These farms and ranches remain vital today and highlight the importance of agriculture to Wyoming.”
Each year, the WSHPO and its program partners host a celebration to honor Wyoming’s ranching families. An annual yearbook is published and features the histories and photos of the Centennial families. Families receive a framed certificate signed by the governor and a large Centennial sign to display on their property. The honorary award does not place any requirements or expectations on the family.
Nominations for honorees for the 2024 program are due by Monday, July 1. The application can be seen here. For more information contact Renée Bovée at 307-777-6312 or email renee.bovee@wyo.gov.
