TOPEKA – To celebrate the state of Kansas turning 150 years old, the Kansas Department of Agriculture and Food for Thought will be recognizing those farmers and ranchers that have operated the same piece of land in Kansas the past 150 years or more, keeping the ownership within the family.

Recognition for those farms will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2011 at the Kansas State Fair here in Hutchinson. The event will include refreshments and remarks from Kansas Governor Sam Brownback.

If you are involved with or know of any farm or ranch families in the state that are 150 years or older, please contact Becky Sullivan at the Kansas Department of Agriculture at becky.sullivan@kda.ks.gov or by phone at 785-296-6080. These families will be added to the list of those being recognized at the state fair.