Acadia Parish boasts three Century Farms

Three Acadia Parish farm families were honored during the Louisiana Farm Bureau’s convention in New Orleans as the first recipients of the Louisiana Century Farm designation.
The Century Farm title recognizes and honors Louisiana’s farmers, ranchers and forestry landowners who have owned family farm land for 100 years or more.
The three farms recognized were the Sarver Farm of Crowley, the Bearb Farm and the Phil Lapleau Estate.
The Sarver Farm was founded in 1899 by Hatter Sarver, while the Lepleau Estate of Acadia (Mermentau) Vermilion and Calcasieu Parishes was founded by Philip Victor Lapleau and Pauline Dancie Lapleau in 1894. The 26 acre Bearb Farm is located near Mire and was founded in 1901 by Arvillian (Blanc) Bearb and wife Emma Duplechin. The Bearb descendent, Gary Smith, was also honored for a second Century Farm, The A. Smith Farm in St. Landry from his father’s family.
During the presentations at the convention, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M. noted, “The inaugural event was a huge success with 32 family farms that were recognized. This is an opportunity to have your family farm honored for the many years it has contributed to the agricultural industry in the state of Louisiana.”
To be eligible for the program, the farm must be in a family continuously for at least 100 years, must have at least 20 acres of the original founder’s land, must have at least one owner who is a resident of Louisiana and must produce at least $1,000 in farming income annually. Tree farms are exceptions to the annual farm income requirement.
Applications for the second annual award presentation are currently being accepted through December 31, 2015.
There is no cost to apply. Applications may be found online at www.lsuagcenter.com/CenturyFarms or for more information, contact the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Lillie Adams Wiley at (318) 949-3225, ladams@ldaf.la.gov or 740 Covington Rd., Haughton, La. 71037.
 This program is sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and Louisiana Land Bank.