AREA FARM LOOKING TO `CENTURY' STATUS

JACKSON -- Meier Angus Farms became eligible for "Century Farm" status last month.

The farm, which was first owned by Bartholomew Cousins and later by John Mogler, a state representative, was acquired by William F. "Boss Bill" Meier on September 14, 1892.

"The farm has been in the Meier family since then," said a spokesman for the farm recently.

The Missouri Century Farm Program, which offers recognition for local long-term farm owners, recognizes farm owners who have farmland that has been in their families for 100 years or more, said Roger Eakins, area livestock specialist for University Extension in Cape Girardeau County.

The program, which was founded in 1986 as an update of the Centennial Farm program held during the 1976 Bicentennial Year, is sponsored by the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Agriculture and University Extension.

Three guidelines are used to determine whether farms qualify:

The farm must have been owned by the same family for 100 years or more.

The family shall consist of direct descendants.

The present farm shall consist of no less than 40 acres and shall make a financial contribution to an overall farm income.

Any farm owners who can meet the guidelines are eligible to be named Century Farm owners. Applications for the designation are available at the extension center in Jackson.

Bartholomew Cousins became first owner of the property now known as Meier Angus Farms, as part of a land grant for 6,000 acres of land, on Jan. 31, 1818. Cousins died in 1827.

Mogler purchased the 244-acre farm in January of 1877. It was soled to William F. Meier in 1892, for $8,500. The farm was deeded to Henry R. Meier on May 16, 1918, and to H. Roy Meier on March 23, 1942, with principals being H. Roy Meier, Karen Meier Harbison and Robin Meier McQuay.

Meier Angus Farms has shown their cattle nationally at fairs throughout the Midwest and South since 1941.

In addition to the Angus operation, Meier Angus Farms has developed Meier Lake Estates and Meier Meadows subdivisions west of Jackson.

"We are going to apply for Century Farm designation," said the spokesman. "But, we'll have to wait until next year. They don't conduct the program every year."

A total of 34 Cape County farms have been selected for Century Farm honors since the program was first adopted.

One of the oldest farms on the Century list is the Williams Farm, which has been in the family almost 200 years. The original owner of the William Farm was William Daugherty, who received his land grant for 123 acres in 1796. The property has been occupied by direct descendants since.

Statewide, a total of 4,250 farms have been honored as "Century Farms."