MERCER COUNTY FARM GRANTED SESQUICENTENNIAL STATUS

*Letter submitted by Jeff & Jana Peterson:

One of our farms passed a significant and increasingly rare milestone as the following Press Release attests.  While we’re recognized for being a sesquicentennial or “150 year farm in the same family”, in 2017, we actually passed the 175 year mark.

My grandmother, Ethel J. Morrison, one of the prior owners and Roberta J. Peterson (her daughter), were longtime residents of Aledo.

*Press Release:

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has designated the farm in Reynolds owned by Morrison Peterson Lmt. Partnership of Bettendorf, IA a Sesquicentennial Farm. To qualify as a Sesquicentennial Farm, the agricultural property must be owned by a straight or collateral line of descendants for at least 150 years. The Morrison – Peterson Lmt. Partnership family received this historical distinction to their farm after their application for designation as a Sesquicentennial Farm was approved.

“I am privileged to present this distinction to the Morrison – Peterson Lmt. Partnership family,” said Agriculture Director Raymond Poe. “This designation not only honors their farm operation today, but also their ancestors who labored through adversity to maintain the family farm. The Sesquicentennial Farm program helps to reinforce that family farming remains a viable entity in Illinois agriculture.”

The Illinois Sesquicentennial Farms program has recognized farms since its inception in 2000. Sesquicentennial Farm owners receive outdoor display signage and a certificate signed by the Governor and the Director of Agriculture. They are also recognized at “Agriculture Day” at the Illinois State Fair.

Application information may be requested by writing to the Illinois Centennial/Sesquicentennial Farms Program, Illinois Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 19281, Springfield, IL 62794-9281.