At the Delaware State Fair yesterday, Governor Matt Meyer and Agriculture Secretary Don Clifton honored three farms as “America 250 Farms,” recognizing the families operating them for surpassing 250 years of continual ownership and operation.
The new honor is tied to America’s 250th birthday celebration and this year’s State Fair’s theme, “America 250.” Like Delaware’s Century Farm Program, to qualify, farms must include at least 10 acres of the original parcel and have remained in family hands for the duration.
The honored America 250 Farms include:
- Dukes Farm: Located southeast of Odessa, the property has been in the Dukes family since 1730. Owner Neal Dukes is the ninth generation of his family to be on the farm, with son Brody representing the upcoming 10th generation.
- Hill Island Farm: Situated near Middletown, the property consists of approximately 430 acres, 285 of which are farmed for corn, soybeans and wheat. R. Smith III and his sister Lea Hutchins are the eighth generation to own the property, which dates to 1720. The main Hill Island Farm building, completed in 1790, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1992.
- Stayton Farm: Of the 295 acres that now encompass the farm near Lincoln, the original 215 acres came to the family through a grant from William Penn and have been passed down through the family. Owner Grier Stayton took over the farm from his father. His son Nicholas will be the 13th generation to steward the land, dating back to 1728. On the tillable ground, the farm produces alfalfa, corn, and soybeans.
“This is an incredible accomplishment,” said State Rep. Bryan Shupe (R-Milford South), who represents the Lincoln area and attended Thursday’s ceremony. “As a small businessman, I know the challenges of passing down a family enterprise from one generation to the next. This enduring legacy is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the Stayton Family and the other families recognized here today.”
Click here to view Rep. Shupe’s remarks.
