STATEHOUSE — Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Bruce Kettler presented 69 families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.
Seven farm families from Southeastern Indiana were among those honored.
In Ripley County, the John W. and Emo Vestal and Simon families received the Centennial Award; in Franklin County, the Fledderman and Joseph and Madeline Niedenthal families received the Centennial award, while the Middendorf-Goldsmith family farm was honored with the Sesquicentennial; and in Dearborn County, the Bulach family received the Centennial award while the Kuebel-McCarty family farm was honored with the Sesquicentennial award.
To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years, and consist of more than 20 acres. If less than 20 acres, the farm must produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year.
Indiana farms may qualify for three honors: the Centennial Award for 100 years of ownership, the Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years of ownership, and the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership.
“I always look forward to engaging with Indiana’s historic farming families during the Hoosier Homestead Award ceremonies,” Crouch said. “The longstanding values, dedication, and resiliency of these families will ensure their farm and family’s legacy live on for many generations.”
Since the program’s inception in 1976, nearly 6,000 families have received the Hoosier Homestead Award. Many past awardees can be identified by the sign proudly displayed in front of the family farm or field.
“It is hard to put into words the value these farming families have provided to their communities, our state, and the Indiana agricultural industry since the formation of their farms,” Kettler said. “It is my utmost pleasure to honor these longstanding families for their dedication to providing the feed, food, and fuel necessary to sustain our state.”
For more information about the Hoosier Homestead Award program, please visit isda.in.gov.
