ANNAPOLIS — In a video announcement Gov. Larry Hogan recognized the seven Maryland Century Farm Program inductees for 2021 which includes one in Somerset County.

The East Farm on Costen Road was purchased by John and Ida East in 1916 and is today owned and operated by their grandchildren, James and Bonnie East. It consists of 69 acres, primarily crop land with a few acres of woodland.

The original home was built in 1870, and remains standing on the property along with a carriage shed, cellar house, and a corn crib that was built in 1916. The family currently grows corn, soybeans, potatoes, wheat, tomatoes and hay. The East Farm has also been home to cattle, hogs, sheep and horses.

Throughout the years, the family has participated in various conservation practices including MDA’s cover crop program. The farm is also part of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF).

Gov. Hogan said this year’s inductees “represent the absolute best of Maryland agriculture.”

“Each and every one of these farms has a rich and unique history. Such a remarkable achievement deserves to be recognized and applauded. By passing down farming as a way of life from generation to generation, each of our honorees has played a significant role in continuing agriculture as the leading industry in Maryland.”

The Maryland Century Farm Program was established in 1994 by Governor William Donald Schaefer and the Hogan administration re-established this annual tradition in 2017 after it was halted for 10 years.

Since the program began, 200 farms have reached Century Farm status. Additionally, 27 families have earned the Bicentennial Farm title for farming the same land for more than 200 years and four families have been named Tricentennial Farms for farming more than 300 years.

Century farms in Somerset County include Elceed Farms, L.T. Widdowson Farm, Twining Farm, Chaffey Farm, the Jeptha Hayman Farm and the Four in One Farm which is also a Bicentennial Farm.