WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — A Wayne County farm with roots dating back to the American Revolution is receiving national recognition for nearly 250 years of continuous family ownership and agricultural stewardship.
Davis Family Farms was recently honored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) as one of only a handful of family farms across the nation that have remained in the same family for 250 years or more.
Representing less than one percent of the nation’s farms, these historic operations symbolize generations of dedication, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to feeding their communities while adapting to the changing needs of agriculture.
The story of Davis Family Farms began on Christmas Eve in 1776, just months after America declared its independence, when Joshua Davis purchased the first tract of land that would become the family’s farming legacy in northern Wayne County.
Over the years, Joshua Davis expanded the property to more than 2,000 contiguous acres, developing a thriving agricultural operation that included a sawmill, grist mill, and turpentine still. Since then, ownership of the farm has been passed directly through generations of the Davis family, making it one of North Carolina’s longest continuously operated family farms.
The farm’s rich history has earned numerous distinctions over the years. Davis Family Farms was among the first farms recognized through the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Century Farm Program in 1970, honoring farms that have remained in the same family for at least 100 years.
In 2016, the farm also became one of the first in the state to receive Bicentennial Farm recognition, an honor reserved for farms with at least 200 years of continuous family ownership. Fewer than 20 farms across North Carolina have achieved that designation.
Today, the legacy continues under Joshua S. Davis, his wife Erin, and their daughters, Delaney and Bayleigh. The family returned to the farm in 2021 with a vision of preserving its history while embracing the future of agriculture.
Modern-day Davis Family Farms produces a variety of fresh produce, pasture-raised livestock, and poultry while implementing regenerative farming practices designed to improve soil health and sustainability. The farm has also become a destination for agritourism, welcoming visitors throughout the year to experience life on the farm and learn about nearly two and a half centuries of agricultural history.
The national recognition comes as America celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026, making the Davis family’s story especially significant. Their farming heritage has endured alongside the nation’s history, surviving wars, economic hardships, technological advances, and changing agricultural practices while remaining rooted in Wayne County.
The Davis family says sharing that history with visitors is one of their greatest joys.
“The next time you visit, please ask us about our history,” the family said. “We love sharing our story and showing how we are continuing our family’s farming tradition while meeting the evolving needs of our community.”
As one of America’s oldest continuously operated family farms, Davis Family Farms stands as a testament to the enduring strength of family agriculture and the generations of hard work that continue to shape Wayne County’s farming heritage.
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