STATEHOUSE — Area legislators on Wednesday honored the latest recipients of the Hoosier Homestead Award, which recognizes farms that have been owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more.
The Hoosier Homestead Award Program honors families who have made significant contributions to Indiana agriculture.
The program, instituted in 1976, recognizes the impact these family farms have made on the economic, cultural, and social advancements of Indiana.
Within the past 45 years, more than 5,800 farms have received the honor.
Represented by State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) and State Reps. Randy Lyness (R-West Harrison), Thomas Saunders (R-Lewisville), and Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville), five locally owned farms were honored at the Statehouse:
- The Arnold farm in Rush County received Centennial, Sesquicentennial, and Bicentennial Awards;
- The Collins/Addison farm in Rush County received Centennial and Sesquicentennial Awards;
- The Daubenspeck farm in Rush County received Centennial and Sesquicentennial Awards;
- The Fledderman farm in Franklin County received a Centennial Award; and
- The Middendorf-Goldsmith farm in Franklin County received Centennial and Sesquicentennial Awards.
Other Southeastern Indiana families receiving the Hoosier Homestead Award include:
- The Bulach farm in Dearborn County received the Centennial Award;
- The Kuebel/McCarty received the Sesquicentennial Award;
- The Joseph & Madaline Niedenthal farm in Franklin County received the Centennial Award;
- The John W. & Emo Vestal farm in Ripley County received the Centennial Award; and
- The Simon farm n Ripley County received the Centennial Award.
“As chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and a farm owner, I know how hard it is to run a farm and the sacrifices you have to make to succeed,” Leising said. “I am glad we are taking the time to recognize these local families for their dedication and perseverance over the years. Congratulations to all of the award winners, and I look forward to watching their continued positive impact on agriculture in Indiana.”
“Running a farm isn’t an easy job and to do so for more than 100 years takes a tremendous amount of perseverance,” Lyness said. “We owe a lot to these farmers who work hard to put food on our tables.”
“Day in and day out, Hoosier farmers put in an endless amount of work that too often goes unnoticed,” Saunders said. “Being able to recognize farming families from our community is a great honor considering how much time they dedicate to ensuring Indiana remains agriculturally strong. Congratulations to these recipients.”
“Farmers have always, and continue to be, a key part of Indiana’s rich history and economic success,” Ziemke said. “Our community is lucky to have so many local families keeping the Hoosier farming tradition alive and thriving.”
To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years and consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year. The award distinctions are Centennial, Sesquicentennial, and Bicentennial – for 100, 150, and 200 years respectively.
Two Hoosier Homestead award ceremonies are held each year – one at the Statehouse in April and one at the State Fair in August.
To learn more about the program or to apply for a Hoosier Homestead award, visit in.gov/isda/2337.htm.
(Indiana General Assembly press release)
