Press Release
January 3, 2022
Contact: Shea J. Otley
State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-4485
sjotley@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/shpo
Beckham County Owners Receive Centennial Farm and Ranch Awards
OKLAHOMA CITY — Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Lynda Ozan announced that Oklahoma Centennial Farm and Ranch Awards have been presented to the owners of two Beckham County properties.
Rodney Carver of Elk City owns Carver Farms, located in the vicinity of Willow. The family has grown wheat and cotton and raised cattle since grandfather Sidney Madison Carver settled the land in 1921.
Larry and Ashlie Wilhelm of Piedmont own the Wilhelm Honeyfarm Ranch, located in the vicinity of Erick. The family has grown wheat and raised cattle since grandfather George Wilhelm settled the land in 1904.
To qualify for a Centennial Farm or Ranch Award, a property must be occupied by a family member for at least 100 years and must currently be operated or occupied by a family member or leased out by a family member. The property must include a minimum of 40 acres and gross annual sales of at least $1,000. The Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry have sponsored the Centennial Farm and Ranch Awards for 32 years, in which time 36 awards have been given in Beckham County.
For further information about the Centennial Farm and Ranch Program, please contact Shea J. Otley at 405-522-4485 or sjotley@okhistory.org.
The State Historic Preservation Office is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
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