Atlanta, GA – February 23, 2026 – Georgia’s rich agricultural heritage continues to thrive, and family farms across the state—including those in the metro Atlanta region and surrounding counties—are invited to apply for recognition through the Georgia Centennial Farm Program.

Applications are now open for qualifying farms, with a deadline of May 1, 2026.

Farms have long served as the foundation of Georgia’s economy, culture, and family traditions, passing down legacies from one generation to the next. Many properties have remained active for over a century, preserving the state’s farming history amid changing times.

The Georgia Centennial Farm Program highlights these enduring operations and promotes their ongoing preservation.

Launched in 1993, the program has honored more than 630 farms statewide over the past three decades. It celebrates properties that maintain active agricultural production while meeting strict historical criteria.

To qualify, farms must:

  • Be working farms with at least 10 acres retained from the original purchase.
  • Actively engage in agricultural production.
  • Generate a minimum of $1,000 in annual farm-generated income.
  • Have been continuously farmed for at least 100 years by members of the same family, or be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Recognized farms receive one of several award categories, including the Centennial Heritage Farm Award (for family-owned properties listed on the National Register), the Centennial Farm Award (for century-old farms on the Register without requiring continuous family ownership), or the Centennial Family Farm Award (for century-old family-owned operations not on the Register).

Each fall, qualifying farms are celebrated during a special awards ceremony at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, where owners receive a certificate of honor signed by the governor.

The program is a collaborative effort administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, in partnership with the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia EMC, Georgia National Fair and Agricenter, and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

Local farmers and landowners in Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, and other nearby counties who believe their property meets these standards are encouraged to apply.

This recognition not only honors family legacies but also helps document Georgia’s agricultural history for future generations.

For application details, eligibility requirements, and forms, visit the official program page at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs website or contact the Historic Preservation Division. Don’t miss the May 1, 2026, deadline—your family’s farm could be the next to join this prestigious list of Georgia treasures.

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