A Slatington farm was one of six from across the commonwealth to receive the Century Farm award from Russell Redding, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Redding presented the award to Klusaritz Family Farm during the recent Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.

“My father would be so proud of us,” said Dennis Klusaritz, who operates the straw and hay farm along Rising Sun Road between Neffs and Laurys Station in North Whitehall Township.

The award recognizes farms that have been in the same family for more than 100 years.

Dennis said his grandfather, the late Frank Klusaritz, started the farm on 79 acres in 1923. Frank and his wife had 10 children, who helped with the farm.

In 1963, Dennis’ father and mother, the late Edward and Anna Klusaritz, took it over.

“We all helped after school,” Dennis recalled of he and his siblings. “I came home from school and went right to work.”

He remembered getting another job when he was 16 - but he didn’t like it as much as farming.

“That only lasted a week,” Dennis said.

When Dennis graduated high school in 1977, he took over the farm.

“I used to farm corn, wheat and oats,” he said, “but now I farm hay and straw. I sell it to the horse farms and dairy farms throughout the Lancaster area.”

He cut back on his offerings so he could attend high school and college sporting events that his sons D.J., Dylan and Lonny Klusaritz participated in.

Dennis retired from a full-time job at Mack Trucks, and has served as a North Whitehall Township supervisor for many years, but never gave up farming.

“There is nothing like a sunny afternoon sitting on my John Deere tractor and making the hay,” he said. “Other guys like to go hunting and fishing but it’s so relaxing out there on the farm. I like seeing the animals run around, and the birds flying around you and over you. I like watching wildlife coming out of the forest to the fields. I just love doing it. It is a good hobby.”

The work keeps him in shape, he added. Hay bales are heavy, and moving them around is hard work. It’s a workout, he said, that he’s able to do at the age of 65.

His sons, also help, as does his brother, Charlie Klusaritz, and nephew, Matthew Miller. He also hires help when needed.

He and his family continue to maintain the old barn and buildings on the property.

“It’s probably one of the nicest farms in the township. Not to brag about it, but it is beautiful,” Dennis said.

He hopes that it will remain in the family for future generations - something he knows would make his father and mother proud.

“As siblings we decided we didn’t want to sell it,” he said.

Other farms recognized were in Chester, Montgomery, Perry, and Union counties.

“These families represent the best in Pennsylvania agriculture,” Secretary Redding said. “Reflecting the 2024 Farm Show theme, Connecting Our Communities, they have been uniting and feeding our communities for generations. They are connecting future generations to their legacy.”

Since the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture started the Century Farm program in 1977, over 2,300 Century Farms have received the honor.