Indianapolis, IN — Four area farming families have been honored with the Spring 2023 Hoosier Homestead Award.
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Don Lamb presented a total of 56 farming families around the state with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.
Local recipients are:
- Decker, Dearborn County, 1919, Centennial;
- Hoog, Dearborn County, 1919, Centennial;
- Meyer, Franklin County, 1920, Centennial;
- Boggess/Bauman, Ripley County, 1922 Centennial.
“It is a true honor to be in the historic Statehouse today celebrating your incredible family farming history,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Your commitment to Indiana and our agriculture history and future is renowned. It was awe-inspiring to celebrate this family achievement with you all today.”
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.
“Being a farmer myself I know how challenging it is to farm today in general, and to keep the same property in the family for decades on end, no less,” said Lamb. “This award being presented today to your farming families is proof of your dedication to agriculture, to our State, and to feeding our world, so I thank you.”
More than 6,000 families have received the Hoosier Homestead Award since the program started in 1976.
Many past recipients can be identified by the sign displayed in front of the family farm or field.
