Elmer and Elizabeth Van Zante were presented with the Century Farm Award

Elmer & Elizabeth receiving Century Farm award (photo submitted)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – On Wednesday, August 17, 2011 there was a special ceremony at Maple Ridge Assisted Living Center. Elmer and Elizabeth Van Zante were presented with the Century Farm Award. Century Farm Awards are presented every year to honor families which have owned Iowa farmland for 100 years or more. The Van Zante family farm has been in the Van Zante family since 1910. Two Van Zante brothers from Pella, Iowa purchased the farm in March 1910. Their family farm is located south of Eddyville in Wapello County and consists of corn, soybeans, cattle, hogs and hay.

This is quite an accomplishment and the family was honored at the Iowa State Fair on Tuesday, August 16. The Van Zante family had 30 relatives, including two sons and a daughter along with their spouses, many grandchildren and spouses and 8 great-grandchildren in Des Moines to receive the award certificate from Bill Northey, Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture. Among those relatives to receive the award were Elmer’s brother Marvin from North Dakota and his four children from North Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona. The next day, Marvin Van Zante had the honor of passing on the certificate to Elmer and Elizabeth who were unable to travel to Des Moines. Congratulations to Elmer and Elizabeth and their entire family on this great honor!