Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Century Farms Act of 2017”.
Century Farms Act of 2017
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to recognize farms that have been in continuous operation for 100 years.
Sec. 2 Findings
Congress finds that—
the United States has a long history of farming and has historically appreciated the invaluable contribution of farming to domestic and global populations;
family farms represent 97 percent of all farms in the United States, of which 90 percent are small family farms;
over 30 States have established Century or Centennial Farm designations and awards; and
agricultural producers perform a vital public service that should be recognized and rewarded.
Sec. 3 Century farms program
The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the Secretary) shall establish a program under which the Secretary recognizes any farm that—
a State department of agriculture or similar statewide agricultural organization recognizes as a Century Farm; or
is defined as a farm or ranch under section 4284.902 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act);
has been in continuous operation for at least 100 years; and
has been owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years, as verified through deeds, wills, abstracts, tax statements, or other similar legal documents considered appropriate by the Secretary.