It’s more than a piece of land – for Paul Kirchner, receiving a 2026 Century Farm Award is about family, memories, and a tradition that has stretched across generations. His grandfather purchased two properties near Clintonville in Waupaca County, one of which Paul now farms and the other is owned by his brother. Today, Paul continues that legacy, raising corn and soybeans and a little hay on land that was once a dairy farm. Some of his favorite memories, though, extend beyond the farm fields. His father and uncles built a family cottage on Legend Lake, creating a place where cousins and generations of family could gather and share time together. Now, Paul, his wife Linda and daughters Rachel and Nicole are celebrating another chapter in that family story at the Wisconsin State Fair. The Century Farm Award is a reminder of the land, traditions, and family memories that make keeping a farm in the family so meaningful. 

You can find more Century and Sesquicentennial farm stories by visiting MidwestFarmReport.com, brought to you courtesy of Compeer Financial.

It&rsquo;s more than a piece of land &ndash; for Paul Kirchner, receiving a 2026 Century Farm Award is about family, memories, and a tradition that has stretched across generations. His grandfather purchased two properties near Clintonville in Waupaca County, one of which Paul now farms and the other is owned by his brother. Today, Paul continues that legacy, raising corn and soybeans and a little hay on land that was once a dairy farm. Some of his favorite memories, though, extend beyond the farm fields. His father and uncles built a family cottage on Legend Lake, creating a place where cousins and generations of family could gather and share time together. Now, Paul, his wife Linda and daughters Rachel and Nicole are celebrating another chapter in that family story at the Wisconsin State Fair. The Century Farm Award is a reminder of the land, traditions, and family memories that make keeping a farm in the family so meaningful.&nbsp;
You can find more Century and Sesquicentennial farm stories by visiting MidwestFarmReport.com, brought to you courtesy of Compeer Financial.

.In partnership with the Wisconsin State Fair, the Mid-West Farm report is highlighting Century and Sesquicentennial Farm and Home Award winners.

Wisconsin Century & Sesquicentennial Farm Salute

Paul & Linda Kirchner - Waupaca County Century Farm

The Brian and Teri Stibb family farm -- near Princeton in Green Lake County -- has been part of the local agricultural community for more than 130 years.

In 1893, the family purchased 60 acres of land. Early generations raised dairy cattle, pigs and poultry, while also growing crops such as rye, oats, corn and navy beans.

Over the years, the farm became a hub of activity for the Princeton area. Brian Stibb’s grandfather was known as a jack of all trades, doing everything from threshing and corn shredding to baling and combining for neighbors. The family also grew cucumbers, watermelons and muskmelons, selling produce at farm auctions.

Today, Brian and his wife are carrying that history forward. Their son is the fifth generation and has taken over the crop operation while continuing to work with antique tractors and farm equipment. The family is active in tractor pulling.

They tell Pam Jahnke how the farm remains a story of German roots, changing technology, community agriculture, and five generations working to keep a Wisconsin farm tradition alive.

You can catch more Century and Sesquicentennial farm stories on-air, and by visiting MidwestFarmReport.com. This special series is brought to you courtesy of Compeer Financial.

The Brian and Teri Stibb family farm -- near Princeton in Green Lake County -- has been part of the local agricultural community for more than 130 years.
In 1893, the family purchased 60 acres of land. Early generations raised dairy cattle, pigs and poultry, while also growing crops such as rye, oats, corn and navy beans.
Over the years, the farm became a hub of activity for the Princeton area. Brian Stibb&rsquo;s grandfather was known as a jack of all trades, doing everything from threshing and corn shredding to baling and combining for neighbors. The family also grew cucumbers, watermelons and muskmelons, selling produce at farm auctions.
Today, Brian and his wife are carrying that history forward. Their son is the fifth generation and has taken over the crop operation while continuing to work with antique tractors and farm equipment. The family is active in tractor pulling.
They tell Pam Jahnke how the farm remains a story of German roots, changing technology, community agriculture, and five generations working to keep a Wisconsin farm tradition alive.
You can catch more Century and Sesquicentennial farm stories on-air, and by visiting MidwestFarmReport.com. This special series is brought to you courtesy of Compeer Financial.

Brian and Teri Stibb - Green Lake County Century Farm

Carey Jones is still working the land of his Richland County farm in the Township of Richwood. He's raising beef cattle, growing corn and soybeans -- while also holding down a full-time job. It's important. The farm has gone through seven generations during the last 100 years. But at times, Jones had to fight to get pieces of it back.

His wife, Barb, has been part of that journey, too. A farm girl herself and his high school sweetheart, she helped work the farm so he could maintain his full-time job.

You can catch more Century and Sesquicentennial farm stories by visiting MidwestFarmReport.com, brought to you courtesy of Compeer Financial.

Carey Jones is still working the land of his Richland County farm in the Township of Richwood. He's raising beef cattle, growing corn and soybeans -- while also holding down a full-time job. It's important. The farm&nbsp;has gone through seven generations during the last 100 years. But at times, Jones had to fight to get pieces of it back.
His wife, Barb, has been part of that journey, too. A farm girl herself and his high school sweetheart, she helped work the farm so he could maintain his full-time job.
You can catch more Century and Sesquicentennial farm stories by visiting MidwestFarmReport.com, brought to you courtesy of Compeer Financial.

Carey & Barbara Jones - Richland County Century Farm

Corey William Janke is celebrating 150 years of his family farming the same land near Bear Creek, in the Union Township of Waupaca County. The fifth-generation farmer reflects on how it has evolved from steam-powered equipment and a family sawmill to a modern beef operation, which he started in 2018 after the dairy cows left the farm.

Janke says his goal now is to maintain the land and continue raising cattle, while highlighting the importance of family, longtime friendships, and the community that has helped build and sustain the farm for five generations. 

You can find more Sesquicentennial and Century farm stories by visiting MidwestFarmReport.com, brought to you courtesy of Compeer Financial.

Corey William Janke is celebrating 150 years of his family farming the same land near Bear Creek, in the Union Township of Waupaca County. The fifth-generation farmer reflects on how it has evolved from steam-powered equipment and a family sawmill to a modern beef operation, which he started in 2018 after the dairy cows left the farm.
Janke says his goal now is to maintain the land and continue raising cattle, while highlighting the importance of family, longtime friendships, and the community that has helped build and sustain the farm for five generations.&nbsp;
You can find more Sesquicentennial and Century farm stories by visiting MidwestFarmReport.com, brought to you courtesy of Compeer Financial.

Paul & Linda Kirchner - Waupaca County Century Farm

Wisconsin Century & Sesquicentennial Farm Salute

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