Bloomfield, Missouri - The Stoddard County University of Missouri Extension Council awards the Bruce Dawson family the Missouri Century Farm designation.

The Missouri Century Farm is awarded to those families who have continuously owned a Missouri farm for 100 years. 

To qualify, farms must meet the following guidelines: The same family must have owned the farm for 100 consecutive years.  The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage or adoption.  The farm must be at least 40 acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income.

The award is in cooperation with University of Missouri and Missouri Farm Bureau.

Since Missouri began the program in 1976, more than 8,000 Century Farms have been recognized.

In the top photo left to right: Bruce Dawson, Kristi Baker, CES/4-H Youth Development Specialist, Karen Dawson and their granddaughter, Ellen.