Iowa Century Farm Traces Its Legacy Across Six Generations

An Iowa Century Farm is more than a designation; it is a living record of family, resilience, and stewardship of the land. For farm manager Brittany Decker, her family’s Century Farm in northern Iowa represents both deep roots and a shared commitment across generations. “A Century Farm means we’re keeping the traditions of our family alive,” says Brittany, a farm manager with Sunderman Farm Management Co. “We’re proud to keep this legacy going and pass it onto future generations.”

What Is an Iowa Century Farm?  

In Iowa, a Century Farm is a farm that has stayed in the same family for at least 100 years, typically encompassing at least 40 acres and continuing active agricultural production. The designation recognizes the perseverance, sacrifice, and long-term stewardship that make family farms the backbone of rural communities. Beyond the certificate and sign, it tells a story: families who weathered wars, depressions, market swings, and technology shifts—yet never let go of the land.  

From Prussia to Prairie: The Kirsch Family Story  

The story of Brittany’s family farm begins with her great-great-great-grandfather, Peter Kirsch (1852–1930). Born in Prussia, Peter emigrated to America at 17, seeking opportunity and a place to put down permanent roots. He eventually settled in southern Kossuth County near the then-new town of Bode, where open prairie was rapidly becoming some of the most productive farmland in the world.   In 1924, Peter purchased 160 acres in Section 32 of Riverside Township for $9,000—about $56 an acre, roughly equivalent to around $1,000 per acre in today’s dollars. At the time, the land was unbroken prairie. The Kirsch family ripped the sod with a Reeves steam-powered tractor pulling a 10-bottom plow, then planted corn and beans with a horse-drawn, two-row check-row planter. Alongside crops, they raised hogs, cattle, and chickens, building a diversified operation that sustained the family through economic ups and downs.  

Mechanization, Change, and Progress  

As the decades passed, the Kirsch farm evolved with new technology and practices. Peter’s son, John, inherited the land and later passed it to his son, another Peter—Brittany’s great-grandfather. Around World War II, Peter ordered a new Allis-Chalmers tractor, marking a turning point in how the farm operated. Two days after the tractor arrived, the family sold their horses and committed fully to tractor power, transforming the way they planted, cultivated, and harvested their crops.   Their first big tractor on rubber tires was a Minneapolis-Moline Model U, a symbol of a new era in agriculture. Remarkably, the family still owns both the Allis-Chalmers and the Minneapolis-Moline today, and they remain in use. These machines are more than equipment; they are rolling reminders of the generations who adapted, experimented, and invested in the farm’s future.  

A Century Farm and a Family Anchor  

The Century Farm designation captures the continuity of the Kirsch family’s connection to the land. Peter passed the Riverside Township farm to his son Gerald, Brittany’s grandfather. Brittany grew up in the original farmhouse on the Kirsch farmstead, spending countless days riding along with her grandpa in the grain cart and listening to his stories. Those memories—of long harvest days, shared meals, and stories passed down in the cab—are woven into the farm’s identity.   Today, the Kirsch Century Farm is owned by Dennis and Jennifer Kirsch (Brittany’s parents), along with Dennis’s brothers Donald, David, and Darrel and their spouses. While the livestock barns are no longer full of hogs and cattle, the family still raises corn and soybeans on the same acres their ancestors broke out of prairie sod. Each season adds a new chapter to a story that is already more than a century long.  

Carrying the Legacy into Modern Farm Management  

For Brittany, the Century Farm is not just a family treasure—it’s a professional foundation. Now a farm manager with Sunderman Farm Management Co., she draws on her own background to connect with landowners and operators who care deeply about their farms’ histories. Before joining Sunderman Farm Management in July 2026, Brittany worked as a resource conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, giving her a strong understanding of conservation, soil health, and long-term stewardship.   “This background helps me connect with the farm families I work with, both land owners and operators,” Brittany says. “The best part of this job is the people.”   In an era of rapid change in agriculture, the Kirsch Century Farm stands as a powerful example of how Iowa families honor the past while planning for the future. Each generation adds its own innovations—steam power, tractors, conservation practices, and professional management—yet the core commitment remains the same: care for the land, care for the people, and leave a stronger legacy for those who come next.

We’re here to serve you

The Sunderman team is proud to highlight Iowa’s Century Farms Program, which recognizes people who have owned the same farmland for 100 years or more. More than 21,000 Century Farm awards have been presented in Iowa since the program began in 1976 in honor of America’s bicentennial celebration.  For more than 65 years, Sunderman Farm Management has been a trusted partner for Midwest landowners. Count on our team for personalized service to help you meet your farmland management, ownership, and investment goals. We look forward to hearing from you.