STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension invites eligible landowners to apply for the Missouri Century Farm Program, which honors families who have owned and maintained the same farm for 100 years or more. The 2026 application period closes on May 1, leaving ample time for families to join the ranks of recent honorees such as those recognized in Ste. Genevieve County in 2025.
Since its start in 1976, the Century Farm program has recognized more than 8,000 Missouri farms for their enduring contributions to the state’s agricultural heritage. Families accepted into the program receive a certificate, a Century Farm sign, and recognition in the statewide Century Farm booklet.
2025 Ste. Genevieve County Honorees
Ste. Genevieve County’s 2025 recipients illustrate the rich history and resilience the program celebrates:
- Steve & Dee Joggerst Farm – Established in 1883, this farm carries a remarkable WWII story — including a daughter who saved enough from a $12‑a‑week factory job to buy back family land.
- Zerwig Farms – William & Mark Zerwig – Established in 1857, this farm is now stewarded by the great‑great‑great grandson of the original owner, continuing one of the county’s longest family lineages.
- Roseann & Welton Schwent Farm – Established in 1910, this farm reflects more than a century of family commitment to the land and the traditions of local agriculture.
- Poggemoeller–Miller Farm – Family ownership traced to 1857, this small but enduring operation once featured a community dance hall.
These families represent the kind of multigenerational dedication the Century Farm Program seeks to honor each year.
More can be discovered about their stories on the 2025 Ste. Genevieve Century Farm Program page at https://mailer.missouri.edu/p/42N5-ABU/2025-ste-genevieve-county-century-farm-recipients
About University of Missouri Extension
MU Extension is the outreach arm of the University of Missouri, connecting Missourians with researchbased education and resources in agriculture, environment, business, community development, health, and human sciences.
For more information or assistance with the Century Farm application process, contact the Ste. Genevieve County Extension Office at 573 883 3548 or stegenevieveco@missouri.edu, or by visiting the website at https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/century-farms.
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