Press Release
April 15, 2019
Contact: Shea J. Otley
State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-4485
sjotley@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/shpo
Garvin County Farm and Ranch Owners Receive Centennial Awards
OKLAHOMA CITY — Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Lynda Ozan announced that an Oklahoma Centennial Farm Award and an Oklahoma Centennial Ranch Award have been presented to the owners of two Garvin County properties.
William Guthrie and Rochelle Lauderdale of Elmore City, recipients of the Oklahoma Centennial Farm Award, own Guthrie Farms located in the vicinity of Elmore City. The family has grown hay since great-grandparents W. M. and Rebecca Guthrie settled the land in 1908.
Chad and Heather Mercer of Stratford, recipients of the Oklahoma Centennial Ranch Award, own Mercer Land and Cattle located in the vicinity of Stratford. The family has grown wheat and raised cattle since great-great-grandfather William Allen (W. A.) Mercer settled the land in 1917.
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. 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 30 years, in which time six awards have been given in Garvin 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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