PENNSYLVANIA FURNACE, PA — Pennsylvania recognized 13 family farms Thursday for maintaining ownership across generations, including a Centre County property held by the same family since 1813, as the state marked the agricultural operations during Penn State’s Ag Progress Days.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding designated 12 properties as Pennsylvania Century Farms and the farm of Barron and Lynn Stine in Halfmoon Township, Centre County, as a Bicentennial Farm. The Stine property becomes Centre County’s third farm to receive the bicentennial designation.
The recognition program requires a Century Farm to have remained in the same family for at least 100 consecutive years. A family member must live on the property, and the farm must retain at least 10 acres of its original land or generate more than $1,000 annually from agricultural sales.
More than 2,300 farms have been recognized since Pennsylvania established the Century Farm Program in 1977 and the Bicentennial Farm Program in 2004. The state recognized its second Tricentennial Farm in 2024 and added 11 farms to the programs during the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show.
The Stine farm traces its family ownership to Jonas Stine’s purchase of the property in 1813. Barron and Lynn Stine now grow crops and raise beef cattle on original acreage while maintaining historic farm buildings and land warrants that have remained in the family since the early 1800s.
“Today, we celebrate 13 farm families who have made tremendous contributions to feeding Pennsylvanians and preserving our agricultural heritage,” Redding stated. He cited the families’ “commitment to future generations” and their role as long-term caretakers of agricultural land.
The 12 newly recognized Century Farms are spread across Cambria, Fayette, Indiana, Lehigh, Lycoming, Montour, Perry, Potter, Somerset and Westmoreland counties.
In Cambria County, William and Kimberly Simanski of Washington Township were recognized for a farm established by Daniel and Rosanne Carney as a dairy operation in 1852. The property is now used to board horses and retains several original buildings.
The Fayette County designation went to John and Seth Dorazio and Joseph Augustine of Redstone Township. Their 72-acre farm has remained in the family since Philip Dorazio purchased it in 1915 and continues to support crop and cattle production.
Two Indiana County farms were recognized. Lynne, Scott, Randy and Shirley Marshall operate a 106-acre South Mahoning Township farm established in 1925, while Joseph and Laura Skamai continue a West Mahoning Township farming operation purchased by Herbert and Virginia Barrett in 1909. The Skamai family raises beef cattle and grows hay, corn and oats.
In Lehigh County, Timothy and Deborah Geiger of North Whitehall Township continue potato production on all 106 original acres of a farm purchased by Benjamin and Mary Geiger in 1919.
Marlene Warn of Moreland Township, Lycoming County, was recognized for a 99-acre farm that has remained in her family since 1921. The property retains its original farmhouse, barn and shed.
The Messersmith Family Irrevocable Trust received the Montour County designation for a Liberty Township farm purchased by Jesse B. Messersmith in 1909. The family continues to grow crops there while preserving a farmhouse dating to 1792 and a historic bank barn.
Two Perry County properties joined the program. Jean and Dennis Reisinger and Joelle Reisinger Bond operate a 126-acre grain and poultry farm in Centre Township that has remained in the family since 1925.
Logan Miles Bower’s Jackson Township farm also reached the century mark under the program. The Bower family has farmed in the township since 1816 and acquired the recognized property in 1925; an operation that began as a 10-cow dairy now has more than 600 milking cows, while structures including a 1766 log cabin and 1770 barn remain in use.
In Potter County, Heather Klimek was recognized for an Allegany Township property established by Horace Nelson in 1882. The farm combined agriculture and timber production, and Klimek now maintains its remaining original acreage and the historic Woodville Town Cemetery located on the property.
Daniel and Heather Ream received Somerset County’s designation for an Upper Turkeyfoot Township crop and livestock farm established in 1912. The property has passed through four generations and retains a historic home, summer house and century-old barn.
Thomas and Belinda Derr of Sewickley Township received the Westmoreland County designation. Their farm has remained in the family since 1919 and now produces beef cattle and grain on more than 82 acres of the original property.
The state uses the Century and Bicentennial Farm programs to recognize long-term family ownership and Pennsylvania’s agricultural and rural heritage. Thursday’s ceremony was held during Ag Progress Days, Penn State’s annual agricultural exposition showcasing research, technology and equipment.
More information about Pennsylvania’s farmland preservation efforts is available at agriculture.pa.gov.
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