The Centennial Farm Program was established in 1948 by the Michigan Historical Commission, with support from the Detroit Edison Company, Consumers Energy, local electrical cooperatives and farm groups. A Centennial Farm is a working farm of 10 or more acres that has been continuously owned by the same family for at least 100 years. The program recognizes farms that have remained in the same family for 100 years or more and highlights the family farm's contributions to Michigan's development. There are 6,000 certified Centennial Farms in Michigan—the oldest dating back to 1776.

Farm owners receive a Michigan Centennial Farm certificate and a display marker for the farm. The green and yellow markers are supplied by Michigan electrical utility companies, to commemorate the dramatic changes electricity brought to farm operations and family life. Centennial Farm families are eligible for membership in the Michigan Centennial Farm Association, formed by a group of centennial farmers during Farmers' Week at Michigan State University in 1957.

The Michigan Centennial Farm Association serves as an informational channel for centennial farmers. It publishes a quarterly newsletter, provides support for the Centennial Farm Program in the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries, holds an annual meeting, and sponsors a number of regional associations that promote communication among centennial farmers. The association's Memorial Scholarship Fund provides an educational scholarship annually to an association family member.

The Michigan Historical Commission also established a Sesquicentennial Farm Program in 1990, to recognize, upon request, certified Centennial Farms that have been owned by the same family for 150 years or longer. There are 300 certified Sesquicentennial Farms in Michigan.

One such farm is the Zeeb Family Farm in Clinton County. Robert Zeeb's ancestors immigrated from New York and settled in Michigan in the late 1830s. The family established a homestead in 1836 on about 160 acres of land located near the area known today as DeWitt Township. After a year as homesteaders, the family purchased their farm and land from the U.S. government.

Seven Generations of the Zeeb Family Farm in Michigan

Generation 1:
Russell Cushman
Russell Cushman was born in Albany, New York in 1809, and immigrated to Delta Township, Clinton County, Michigan, in 1836. He established a homestead, and purchased the property from the U.S. government in 1837. He was Bob Zeeb's great-great-grandfather on his mother's side. Russell Cushman married Henrietta Hoople, a Canadian immigrant. Russell Cushman was a direct descendant of John Howland, who came to America on the Mayflower. Because of this connection, Bob Zeeb is a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants.

Generation 2:
Perrin William (Pat) Cushman
Pat Cushman, son of Russell and Henrietta Cushman, was born in DeWitt in 1849 and married Syrena Richardson. He was Bob Zeeb's maternal great-grandfather.

Generation 3:
Lucy Cushman
Lucy Cushman, born in DeWitt Township in 1879, was the daughter of Pat and Syrena Cushman. She inherited the family farm upon the death of her parents in 1925. She was Bob Zeeb's maternal grandmother, and married Clyde Clise.

Jacob and Anna Barbara Zeeb with their children and sons- in-law, early 20th Century.

Generation 5:
Robert Zeeb
Bob Zeeb, born in 1932 in DeWitt Township, was one of two sons of Margaret and Bernard Zeeb. He married Virginia Hardtke, a DeWitt Township farm girl, in 1956. They have four children and eight grandchildren. Although they are officially retired, they work on the farm every day.

Generation 6:
Bob and Ginny's children are the sixth generation to farm the land in DeWitt Township. They are: Patrick Zeeb, who runs the farm, now that Bob and Ginny are officially retired; Christopher Zeeb; Michael Zeeb; and Karen Porter.

Generation 7:
Bob and Ginny's grandchildren represent the seventh generation on this family farm established 167 years ago. They are Andrea (daughter of Patrick); Adam and Alison (children of Christopher); David, Ben and Sam (sons of Michael); and Phillip and Rachael (children of Karen).

For more information about Michigan's Centennial Farm Program, visit the Historical Society of Michigan.