Georgia Honors Tift County Farm as Centennial Farm Today
UPDATE: Georgia has officially recognized the Carl J. Ray Farm in Tift County as a new Centennial Farm, highlighting its century-long legacy. This announcement was made during the state’s annual Centennial Farm Awards Ceremony, held on October 8, 2025, at the Georgia National Fair.
The Carl J. Ray Farm is among just 14 family farms honored this year for their historical significance and commitment to agriculture. To qualify for this prestigious title, farms must be over 100 years old and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The awards ceremony, co-hosted by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Georgia Farm Bureau, and other key organizations, celebrates the enduring legacy of family farms across the state. In total, more than 630 farms have been recognized since the Georgia Centennial Farm Program began in 1993.
Joining Carl J. Ray Farm in this year’s honors are notable recipients such as:
– Stanford Farm, Coweta County
– Lil’ Slice o’ Paradise, Dade and Walker counties
– HD Bailey Family Partnership, Dawson County
– Striplin Lands LLC, Gordon County
– Pendergast Hay Farm, Grady County
– Home Place Farms, Hancock County
– Hays Farm, Jackson County
– P.K. Moore Farm, Lowndes County
– Beck Farm, Madison County
– Jenkins Family Historic Farm, Talbot County
– Fielding Tall Pines, Thomas County
– Jordan Farm, Washington County
In addition, Ash Farms of Effingham County received the Centennial Heritage Farm Award, recognizing its remarkable history as a family-owned farm for over a century and its listing on the National Register.
While no farms were awarded the Centennial Family Farm Award this year, the ceremony underscores the vital role that these family farms play in Georgia’s agricultural heritage.
For those interested in nominating a farm for future recognition, applications can be downloaded from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs website. The deadline for submissions is set for May 1 each year.
This recognition not only honors the historical significance of these farms but also fosters community pride and agricultural sustainability in Georgia. The impact of these awards resonates beyond just the farms, encapsulating the enduring spirit of family farming in America.
Stay tuned for more updates on this story and other developments in Georgia’s agricultural community!
