Hedstrom, Nelson farms in Montgomery County earn Century Farm distinctions

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Brent Johnson honored 439 Iowa farm families with Century or Heritage Farm designations at the 2024 Iowa State Fair. The program celebrates farms that have been owned by the same families for 100 and 150 years, respectively.
A statewide Century Farms Recognition Ceremony was held at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 15, 2024, to honor the farm family’s contributions to the growth and stability of Iowa agriculture.
This year, 277 Century Farms and 162 Heritage Farms were recognized during ceremonies in the historic livestock pavilion on the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Montgomery County had no Heritage Farms this year, but two Montgomery County farms received Century Farm designations.
The Hedstrom farm is owned by Heath Hedstrom and sons August Hedstrom and Gunnar Hedstrom.
The farm is located at 2311 Willow Ave. in Nodaway in Montgomery County’s East Township. The farm originally started with 80 acres, and now boasts 213 total acres.
While not the first owners of the land, the land has been owned by Hedstrom’s great-grandfather, Nels Hedstrom; Arvin and Esther Hedstrom, Heath’s grandparents; and Heath’s parents, Harold and Sandra Hedstrom. The original cost of the land was $350 per acre, and currently the Hedstroms raise cattle, corn, beans, and alfalfa on the land.
The second Century Farm is owned by Chris and Barbara Nelson at 220th Street on the south side of section 36 in Frankfort Township. The farm began with 80 acres on Nov. 29, 1884, and 40 additional acres were added on Feb. 27, 1902.
The Nelson family are the original owners. Nelson’s previous ancestors who owned the land were his great-grandfather, Sandor Nelson; his great uncle, A.W Nelson, his uncle, Irving Nelson; his father, Orville Nelson; brothers Bruce Nelson and Fred Nelson; and sister Annis Jane Williams.
The original cost on the first 80 acres of land was $17.50 and it was purchased from the CB&Q Railroad. The additional 40 acres was purchased at $55 per acre from Erick Erickson. The land currently produces corn, soybeans, and hay.
To date, more than 21,000 Century Farms and 2,000 Heritage Farms have been recognized throughout Iowa.  In Montgomery County, 149 farms have been recognized as Centiury Farms.  There are currently nine farms in Montgomery County recognized with a Heritage Farm distinction.
The Century Farm program began in 1976 as part of the Nation’s Bicentennial Celebration. The Heritage Farm program began in 2006.
“The families that own and steward Century and Heritage Farms play a crucial role in maintaining Iowa’s rural tradition, contributing to our state’s identity, and sustaining our agricultural economy. Year after year and decade after decade, through hard-won successes and by overcoming obstacles, these innovative families embody remarkable strength, resilience, and grit,” said Secretary Naig. “The opportunity to celebrate each family’s legacy, hear their inspiring stories and personally congratulate each family makes this unique event my favorite of the entire year.”
The recognition is made possible through a partnership between the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.
“Being recognized as an Iowa Century or Heritage Farm is a testament to the work ethic and perseverance required to reach that milestone,” said Brent Johnson, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President. “It’s a privilege to honor these hardworking farm families and celebrate their family farm legacies and the positive impact made on our state.”
For anyone wishing to have their farm recognized as a Century or Heritage Farm, the applicant completes the required application. They may print the application and complete it by hand, or they can type in the information online and then print it.  In either case, the application must have an original notarized signature. Applications must be notarized and postmarked by June 1st of the year applying. To print an application sheet, visit iowaagriculture.gov/century-and-heritage-farm-program.
Submit Century Farm applications to: Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Attn: Century Farms Program, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319. For eligibility, the farm must have consecutive ownership within the same family for 100 years or more of at least 40 acres of the original holding of Iowa farmland, the present owner must be related to a person who owned the land 100 years ago, and the application must be notarized and postmarked before June 1 of the year applying.
Submit Heritage Farm applications to: Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Attn: Heritage Farms Program, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319. For eligibility, the owner must have at least 40 acres of the original holding of Iowa farmland, consecutive ownership within the same family for 150 years or more by the end of year applying, and the present owner must be related to a person who owned the land 150 years ago.
The Program Coordinator will review all applications and approve eligible entries. Applicants will be notified by mail if their entry was approved or declined. Information about the ceremony will be mailed to the contact person in late June.