| Four Delaware farms, each owned by the same family for 100 years or more, were honored Tuesday, Oct. 20, as Century Farms by the Delaware Department of Agriculture. The 22nd Century Farms Awards ceremony was held at the Miller Farm in Frederica. Delaware Gov. Jack Markell was the featured speaker during the ceremony.
Markell said, “I am very pleased to be here today in this historical setting to recognize the Boyce family, the Butler family, and the two Warrington families for being a part of Delaware’s agricultural heritage for more than 100 years.”
Honorees included Mr. and Mrs. Eben Boyce of Swamp Farm, Baltimore Hundred, Sussex County; Mr. and Mrs. Roger Butler of the Butler Family Farm, Mispillion Hundred, Kent County; and Mr. and Mrs. Keith Warrington, and Mr. and Mrs. Everett Warrington, who own separate family farms in Northwest Hundred, Sussex County.
“I am not a farmer,” Markell continued, “but I recognize the kind of dedication, love of the land and perseverance it takes to live the agricultural life, an enduring way of life. I salute these families for their living history, their ongoing contribution to our state’s agricultural heritage, and sincerely hope that their children and grandchildren will carry on the tradition and farm this land for many years to come.”
The Boyce family of Swamp Farm has worked this 47-acre farm since 1903. John Hudson, the great-great-grandfather of Lisa Boyce, purchased the original 100-acre farm from William Layton in 1903 for $32.50 per acre. Joshua Hudson, great-grandfather of Lisa Boyce, purchased the farm for $3,000.
William Hudson inherited the farm in 1930, and in 1970, passed it to his three sons, one of whom was Delano Hudson Sr. Delano Hudson Sr. became sole owner in 1974, and the farm passed to his daughter, Lisa Boyce and her husband, Eben Boyce, in 2004.
There are various structures on this family farm: the wash house used as a shed, which was built in 1967; the barn, built in the 1960s; several other sheds; and greenhouses which were built in 2000. Currently, this 106-year-old family farm produces soybeans and corn. Pigs and beef cows are also raised, and horses are kept on the farm. The Delaware Department of Agriculture Planning Section presents Century Farm Awards to landowners who can document that their land has been farmed by the same family for at least 100 years. To date, including today’s honorees, Delaware has 110 farms enrolled in the Century Farms Program.
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