Downer Family Farm of Montezuma honored with Heritage Award at the Iowa State Fair

​     Members of the Downer Farm Family are shown with representatives of the Iowa Department of Agriculture on Thursday, Aug. 17 during the presentation of Heritage Awards at the Iowa State Fair.

      Three Poweshiek County farm families were among 144 families from across the state of Iowa to be honored with a Heritage Award for ownership of the same farm for 150 or more years. The presentation was held on Aug. 17 at the Iowa State Fair.
       Downer Farms, L.C. (Robert N. Downer, Jane G. Downer, Elise Downer Fisella and Andrew N. Downer) of Montezuma were recognized with a Heritage Award this year. The land in Pleasant Township has been in the Downer family since Feb. 26, 1873 when the original 160 acres was purchased. Today, the farm consists of 40 acres.
     Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in conjunction with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation established the Heritage Farm Program for farm families that have owned at least 40 acres for 150 years or more.