Press Release
May 23, 2017
Contact: Shea J. Otley
State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-4485
sjotley@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/shpo
Washita County Farm Owners Receive Centennial Farm Award
OKLAHOMA CITY — Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Melvena Heisch announced that an Oklahoma Centennial Farm Award has been presented to the owners of a Washita County farm. James Kim and Mary Lou Nikkel of Weatherford, Okla., own the James Kim and Mary Lou Nikkel Farm located in the vicinity of Carnegie. The family has grown wheat and raised cattle since grandfather John P. Nikkel settled the land in 1916.
To qualify for a Centennial Farm or Ranch Award, a property must be owned by a family member for at least 100 years and must be operated or occupied by a family member or leased out by a family member over the age of 65. 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 28 years, in which time 71 awards have been given in Washita 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.
