Don King’s family farm, Clover Meade Farms, in Bellefontaine has recently been added to Ohio’s prestigious Century Farms list, recognizing farms that have been in continuous family ownership for 100 years or more.
Located just off County Road 18, on Road 30, this 118-acre farm has been a cornerstone of the King family’s agricultural heritage since Amos Shem King purchased it in 1915.
Don’s great-grandfather, Amos, tragically passed away in a farming accident in 1935, and his son, Paul M. King, took over the farm.
Don, a 1963 graduate of West Liberty-Salem High School, has worked on the farm his entire life.
In addition to farming, Don served with the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, beginning in 1969 and retiring in 2019 after a distinguished career, all while continuing to manage the farm.
Today, Don grows corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay, and raises beef cattle.
He also helps raise cows for his granddaughters, ensuring the farm’s legacy continues with the next generation.
Don’s son, KC King, is now working alongside him, learning the operations of the farm, with plans to eventually take over the business.
The Kings are proud to see the farm recognized with the Century Farm designation, which honors families who have owned their land for at least 100 consecutive years.
Don’s lifelong dedication to agriculture has not only sustained the farm but also contributed to the strength of Ohio’s farming community.
Next Step: Farm Preservation Program
Don’s next goal is to ensure the long-term preservation of the farm’s agricultural heritage by enrolling it in Ohio’s Farm Preservation Program.
This program offers landowners the opportunity to voluntarily preserve their farmland by entering into an agricultural easement agreement.
The goal is to protect the land from development and ensure that it continues to be used for farming for future generations.
By entering the Farm Preservation Program, Don will help safeguard the farm’s legacy and maintain its agricultural use for years to come.
This move reflects the King family’s continued commitment to agriculture and preserving Ohio’s rural landscape.
Don talks about why he wants to preserve his land:
Century Farms in Logan County
In addition to the King farm, several others in Logan County have earned the Century Farm designation, further underscoring the region’s rich agricultural history.
The following farms have been recognized for their longstanding family ownership:
- Bates Family – Est.1830
- Harman – Est.1831
- Smith – Est.1835
- Berry – Est.1835
- Moore – Est.1837
- Keys – Est.1839
- Borchers – Est.1844
- Elliot – Est.1852
- Minnich – Est.1855
- Painter – Est.1867
- O’Connor – Est.1870
- Plank – Est.1876
- Tigh – Est.1877
- Forsythe – Est.1879
- Emerine – Est.1891
- Jones – Est.1901
- Kreglow – Est.1904
- Hudson – Est.1908
- Core – Est.1909
- Wish – Est.1913
- Smith – Est.1914
- LeVan – Est.1917
- Antram – Est.1920
These Century Farms, like the King Farm, have contributed to the enduring agricultural legacy in Logan County, helping to preserve the region’s agricultural roots for generations to come.
Ohio’s Historic Family Farms Program
Ohio’s Historic Family Farms program recognizes farms that have been owned by the same family for at least 100 years.
The program offers recognition in three categories: Century Farms (100-149 years), Sesquicentennial Farms (150-199 years), and Bicentennial Farms (200+ years).
Farms that qualify for one of these designations receive an heirloom certificate signed by the Governor of Ohio and the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Ownership Requirements
To qualify for the Historic Family Farms designation, several criteria must be met:
- Continuous Ownership: The farm must have been in the same family for at least 100 consecutive years. Ownership can be through title deeds or land contracts; leasing or sharecropping does not qualify.
- Line of Ownership: The farm’s ownership must be traceable through the family line, including spouses, children, and other relatives, both biological and legally adopted.
- Signatures for Registration: The farm’s current owner or a family member must sign the registration application.
- Trusts or Corporations: If the land is held in a trust or by a family corporation, proof must be provided showing that only family members are beneficiaries or shareholders.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about Century Farms OR Land Preservation Programs, contact the Logan County Land Trust HERE.
