BEAR CREEK, WI – While cutting-edge equipment and new ag innovations are drawing attention at this year’s Farm Technology Days, another story is being celebrated quietly but powerfully, the legacy of Wisconsin’s farming families.
Jeremy Schoenike with the Waupaca County Register of Deeds Office is making sure that local Century Farms are recognized for the dedication and resilience they’ve shown over generations. To qualify for the distinction, farms must remain under continuous family ownership for at least 100 years. Some farms go even further, earning the title of a Sesquicentennial Farm after 150 years of family stewardship.
On Wednesday, the newest Class of 2025 was honored with three more farms added to Waupaca County’s growing list of Century Farms, bringing the total to 195.
“Farming is changing,” Schoenike said. “It’s changed a lot over the years. As you can see with the map I have here, we’ve got a lot of pins, but certain sections of the county are dwindling a little bit.”
Schoenike hopes the next generation of farmers will rise to the challenge, continuing the legacy of those who’ve worked the land for decades. He says honoring these families not only preserves history but helps inspire the future of agriculture in Northeast Wisconsin.
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