Alabama Century and Heritage Farm Program Honors Family Tradition
By Maggie Edwards
Agricultural roots run deep for John Boutwell. His family’s Butler County farm has been in production for over a century. That passion for preservation led to statewide recognition when Cedar Creek Plantation was named a Century and Heritage Farm in 2019.
“Land can be lost,” John said. “That makes you appreciate that it’s been in our family for 100 years. We’ve been put here to be stewards of the land.”
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has administered the Century and Heritage Farm program since 1976. More than 700 family farms have since been honored. There’s a Bicentennial Farm program, too, celebrating farms that have reached 200 years.
Applications for the Century and Heritage as well as Bicentennial programs are due Aug. 23. To apply, visit agi.alabama.gov.
“This accomplishment tells the story of our family,” John said. “Farmland is difficult for farmers to hang on to. It says a lot that we’ve been able to continue the tradition.”
Heritage Farm: Has been operated continuously as a family farm for at least 100 years. Must possess interesting and important historical and agricultural aspects, including one or more structures at least 40 years old. The farm must include at least 40 acres of land owned and operated by the applicant who resides in Alabama.
Since 1917, the land has created generations of Boutwell memories. It’s instilled hard work ethic in John, wife Ann, their children and grandchildren, too. From John’s grandfather’s old general store to row crops, cattle and timber, the farm has stood the test of time and changing farm practices.
That continues as the next generation prepares to cultivate the land, Ann said.
“It’s extremely rewarding and special for our youngest son, Thomas, his wife, Sarah, and their two children to come back to this farm,” Ann said. “We have all loved the place. We didn’t live here permanently, but we spent our days here. Our hearts are here and always have been. The kids loved this land, and so do our eight grandchildren.”
John and Ann began their lives together in 1973. Ann grew up on a farm in Butler County, too. That homeplace — Persimmon Ridge Farms — is a Bicentennial Farm.
John studied at Auburn University and obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics. His journey led to life in Auburn and a position with Alabama Cooperative Extension System as a pest management economist.
Almost a decade later, the Boutwells’ life shifted as they moved to Autauga County for a new venture — cotton farming.
“I farmed cotton near Prattville until the 2000s,” said John, who serves on Farmers Federation boards in Autauga and Butler counties. “That’s when I switched my mindset back to the Butler County land and went into the commercial hunting business.”
In addition to being a distinguished Alabama Century and Heritage Farm, the land is a certified Tree Farm and TREASURE Forest.
“John has done a great job caring for this land,” Ann said. “He converted it from row crops and cattle into the tree farm. The farm is almost like a family member.”
John credits any success back to strong stewardship.
“This land is as good now as it was 100 years ago, if not better than,” John said. “It’ll be good another hundred.”