Cook farm recognized with bicentennial farm designation

The Washington Township farm was one of four in the state designated a Bicentennial Farm during the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

As America prepares to mark its grand bicentennial, a local farm with its own storied history dating back to the Revolutionary War will be part of the celebration.

The Cook Farm in Washington Township, Fayette County, was recognized Friday during the Pennsylvania Farm Show as an official Bicentennial Farm, a designation that recognizes Pennsylvania farms that have been owned by a family for more than 200 years.

The designations are part of a long-running state program aimed at spotlighting the endurance of Pennsylvania’s agricultural backbone. Since the Department of Agriculture launched the Century Farm program in 1977 and the Bicentennial Farm program in 2004, the Commonwealth has formally recognized 2,378 century and bicentennial farms, along with two tricentennial farms.

“These farms tell a powerful story of families who have worked the same land for generations,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who called the honorees living proof that agriculture remains central to Pennsylvania’s identity and future.

The Cook family, along with state and local elected officials, came together during the farm show in Harrisburg to present the designation.

Located along the Westmoreland and Fayette county lines, the Cook family has farmed their 402-acre property since 1769, when Edward Cook, a Revolutionary War-era farmer, surveyor, and civic leader, purchased the land. Today, Mark and Robert Cook continue the legacy, farming 30 acres and operating an onfarm market, while the original 1772 home remains in use. The farm is one of 25 century farms and four bicentennial farms in Fayette County.

Mark Cook inherited the property from his parents, Robert and Marlene Cook, including a house that has been in the family for generations.

While time has changed the some of the appearance of the farm, it still maintains the characteristics that makes it a local landmark and placed it on the National Historic Registry.

Mark Cook said it had been a long process to get the property recognized as a Bicentennial Farm, however, he said it was a delight to see it come to fruition.

“It went very well, almost all my brothers and sisters and family members were there,” Mark Cook said. “We were just excited to know that we were going to get this recognition, and we were the oldest ones there, so that was kind of unique.”

Mark Cook said he didn’t do it alone, and that it’s been a group effort to make the recognition happen.

Cook cited several elected officials from both counties for helping the family earn the distinction, as well as several citations, including Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, state Rep. Eric Davanzo, R-Smithton, state Rep. Ryan Warner, R-Perryopolis, state Sen. Kim Ward, R-Hempfield Township, and state Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Township.

“We were just very honored that they would all come and recognize us in the family, and that was important to us. They honored us, and I’m thankful for that.”

Mark Cook also said he couldn’t have done it without the help of his wife, Alicia. The process for both of them has been exciting, especially when they started digging into their family history.

“It’s just an awesome feeling, because I know that for my dad, keeping it in the family was the most important thing to him,” he said. “It was left to his parents and then left to him, and now it’s left to us, me and my brothers, and that is just an awesome moment, that we’re being able to keep my dad’s dream, that it stays in the family, and that’s what we plan on doing, keep it in the family.”

The farm show was also a fun time for the Cook family, as they checked out some of the main attractions, including the famous butter sculpture.

250th celebration

Plans are ongoing for the Cook Farm’s 250th celebration this summer, and Mark Cook said they are still looking for volunteers and vendors for the event. The Cook Farm 250th Celebration is planned for Aug. 8.

“There’s a lot going on this year because of the 250th, so a lot of vendors are having their dates taken,” Mark Cook said. “So we’re trying to get people booked now so we don’t lose them to another event.”

Mark Cook stated that they’re considering making the celebration a yearly event for the farm.

Mark Cook added that after their event this year, they will be looking to explore some different areas of agritourism for the Cook Farm. One of the ideas they’re considering is starting a heritage breed farm, which would involve raising animals that would have been found at the time of the founding of the farm.

Anyone interested in volunteering or helping the Cook Farm for its 250th celebration can reach out on the Cook Farm Facebook page or by calling Mark Cook at 724415-9334. The Rostraver Historical Society is also part of the celebration and can be contacted at rostravertwphistoricalsociety@ gmail.com.