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Grundy County adds three Century/Heritage Farms

Melvin and Janet Schildroth and family pictured on Aug. 18 in Des Moines alongside Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig (far left). PHOTO COURTESY OF IOWA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP
Rodney and Marcia Stahl pictured on Aug. 18 in Des Moines alongside Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig (far left). PHOTO COURTESY OF IOWA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP
Greg and Brenda Shine and family pictured on Aug. 18 in Des Moines alongside Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig (far left). PHOTO COURTESY OF IOWA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP

Three separate Grundy County farm families were honored on Thursday, August 18, at the Iowa State Fair Livestock Pavilion with Century and Heritage Farm designations this year including Greg and Brenda Shine of Conrad (Heritage; est. 1872); Rodney and Marcia Stahl of Wellsburg (Century; est. 1890); and Melvin and Janet Schildroth of Reinbeck (Century; est. 1922).

The Shine family farm is located in Felix Township. The land was first purchased in 1872 by the grandparents – John S. and Agnes King – of present owner Greg Shine’s great aunt, W. King Ecklund. The Heritage portion of the farm originally comprised 80 acres, according to the Shines’ Heritage Farm application.

The Stahl family farm is located in Shiloh Township. The land was first purchased on December 3, 1890. The farm originally comprised 160 acres and cost $40 per acre, according to the Stahls’ Century Farm application. Today the farm produces corn, beans, hay, and pumpkins.

The Schildroth family farm is located in Blackhawk Township. The land was first purchased on March 1, 1922, by George J. and Anna Schildroth, present owner Melvin Schildroth’s grandparents. The farm originally comprised 187 acres, according to the Schildroths’ Century Farm application. The original home is still in use. Today the farm produces corn, beans, beef cows and calves.

A total of 351 Iowa farm families were recognized this year with Century or Heritage Farm designations. The Century Farms and Heritage Farms programs celebrate farms that have been owned by the same families for 100 and 150 years, respectively.

Look for a feature on the Schildroth Family Farm in an upcoming issue of the Sun Courier.

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