Oconto County farms added to Century Farm list

Wagner, Fosick and Rowell homesteads to be recognized
By: 
Joan Denis
Special to NEW Media

Three Oconto County homesteads are being added to the state Century Farm and Home roster this summer.

The Century Farm and Home Program began in 1948 in conjunction with the State of Wisconsin’s Centennial Celebration. There are currently 9,817 Century Farms and Homes nestled throughout the Badger State. The Sesquicentennial Program similarly originated in 1998 as part of the State’s Sesquicentennial Celebration and has since honored 982 families.

To qualify for the award, families are required to provide proof of continuous family ownership of a Wisconsin property for either the last 100 or 150 years.

Oconto County is the home to 109 Century Farms and Homes and three Sesquicentennial properties. As you drive along the country roads, you may come across properties with their century farm or home signs displayed in their yard. Newly designated farms are recognized during the Wisconsin State Fair each year.

The 2022 recipients of the Century award are Troy and Marla Wagner, from the Town of Lena, William Fosick, in the Town of Mountain, and Michael and Lori Rowell, in the Town of Abrams.

Myra Fosick Wyant applied for the award for her father, William. He purchased the land from Holt Lumber Company in 1920. Holt Lumber had built the barn, and 40 feet of the original barn is built with logs. This is a beautiful and well-preserved farm nestled in the woods of Mountain.

When asked why she applied, Fosick Wyant said she wanted to make people aware and to preserve local history. Though she does not have any children, she has many nieces and nephews. The farm is expected to stay in the family.

Troy Wagner grew up spending much time on his grandparents’ farm in the Town of Stiles. He worked and learned from his grandparents as he grew up, and the farm holds a special place in his heart. The farm has been in his family for four generations since 1897.

The Wagners purchased the farm in 2018 and restored the property. The land is currently being farmed. When asked why they applied for the Century Farm award, he said he wanted to honor his grandparents and preserve the history of the property.

The Rowell Family Farm was settled in 1911 by Michael Rowell’s great-grandparents, so he is the fourth generation on the farm. Rowell said he got the farm from his parents in 1983. He had always heard about the Century Farm program and decided to apply last year.

Rowell said he found the application very easy to fill out using his Land Abstract and encourages other to apply. The farm will be going to his nephew, so the fifth generation is secure.

Oconto County is also home to three sesquicentennial farms or 150 years of ownership.

People with property that has been in the family for 100 or 150 years should consider applying for Century or Sesquicentennial status. To request an application, call Jill Albanese, Director of Competitive Exhibits, at 414-777-0580, or write to Century or Sesquicentennial Farm and Home Program, 640 S. 84th St., West Allis, WI 53214.