Press Release
September 12, 2017
Contact: Shea J. Otley
State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-4485
sjotley@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/shpo
Beckham County Farm Owners Receive Centennial Farm Awards
OKLAHOMA CITY — Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Melvena Heisch announced that Oklahoma Centennial Farm Awards have been presented to the owners of two Beckham County farms.
John Joe Edwards of Sayre, Okla., owns Edwards Farm located in the vicinity of Sayre. The family has grown wheat, cotton and rye and raised cattle since grandfather John Hanson Edwards settled the land in 1911.
Brothers Michael Blevins of Sayre, Okla., and Steve Blevins own the D. L. Blevins Farm located in the vicinity of Sweetwater. The family has grown wheat and alfalfa and raised cattle since great-grandfather Daniel L. Blevins settled the land in 1912.
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 29 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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