East Cape Girardeau resident's family homestead designated Centennial Farm

VILLA RIDGE, Ill. -- An Illinois farm has been recognized for over 100 years of family ownership.

Trudy Shumaker Peeler of East Cape Girardeau and Susan Shumaker Ramage of Metropolis, Ill., are both owners of the Shumaker Farm in Villa Ridge. To qualify as a Centennial Farm, a straight or collateral line of descendants must own the agricultural property for at least 100 years.

The Shumaker farm has been in the Bour-Shumaker family since 1898.

Illinois Department of Agriculture director Charles A. Hartke said, "This designation honors them today and their ancestors of yesterday who labored through prosperity and adversity to maintain the family farm. The Centennial Farm program helps to reinforce that family farming remains a viable entity in Illinois agriculture."

The Illinois Centennial Farm program has recognized more than 7,200 farms since its inception in 1972.

Centennial Farm owners receive outdoor display signage and a signed certificate by Hartke and Gov. Rod Blagojevich.