Two Berks County farms were among 11 farms statewide recognized this week with Century and Bicentennial Farm designations during the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.
Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding made the designations on the seventh day of the Farm Show, honoring farms that have remained in the same family for at least 100 years. Seven of the farms recognized statewide received Century Farm status, while four were designated Bicentennial Farms.
“Pennsylvania’s Century Farms tell a powerful story of families who have worked the same land for generations, preserving not just their livelihoods, but a way of life that defines our Commonwealth,” Davis said. “By honoring these multigenerational farms and continuing to invest in farmland preservation, we’re ensuring that agriculture remains strong, sustainable, and rooted in Pennsylvania communities for generations to come.”
In Berks County, Michael and Ellen Angstadt of Kutztown were recognized for a 120-acre farm that has been in the family since 1917, when Henry R. Adam purchased the land. Today, Michael Angstadt operates a crop farm on the property, where several original buildings remain in use, including an early-1800s family home. According to the state, Berks County is home to 36 century farms and 14 bicentennial farms.
Elizabeth Keller, also of Kutztown, was recognized for her family’s 50-acre farm, which has been continuously owned by the Angstadt family since 1887. The property includes multiple original structures still in use today, including a home built in the early 1800s that once operated as a bed-and-breakfast. Keller continues the farm’s long-standing agricultural tradition.
“Celebrating these family farms is a testament to Pennsylvania’s enduring agricultural heritage,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Generations of hard work, dedication, and innovation have preserved these lands, strengthened local communities, and fed our Commonwealth. We honor these families for their commitment to farming and for keeping Pennsylvania’s agricultural legacy alive for the future.”
To qualify as a Pennsylvania Century Farm, a property must have been owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years, include at least 10 acres of the original farm or generate more than $1,000 annually in farm product sales, and have a family member residing on the farm.
Since the Century Farm program began in 1977 and the Bicentennial Farm program launched in 2004, Pennsylvania has recognized 2,378 century and bicentennial farms, along with two tricentennial farms. The Commonwealth also leads the nation in farmland preservation, having protected more than 6,600 farms and over 661,000 acres from future development since 1988.
The 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show runs through Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. The event serves as the official kickoff for America250PA commemorations, marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.