Indianapolis, In. — The Hoosier Homestead Award Program recognizes families that have made significant contributions to Indiana agriculture. The program, instituted in 1976, recognizes the impact these family farms have made to the economic, cultural and social advancements of Indiana. In the past 30 years, more than 5,000 farms have received the honor.
Represented by State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) and State Rep. Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville), five locally owned farms were recently honored:
- Francis Graham Farms Inc. in Rush County received a Sesquicentennial Award;
- The Huber farm in Ripley County received a Centennial and Sesquicentennial Award;
- The Linville farm in Shelby County received a Centennial Award;
- The Meyer Family Farm in Franklin County received a Centennial and Sesquicentennial Award; and
- The Timke farm in Ripley County received a Centennial Award.
“As both a farmer and chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, I know how important farming is to the state of Indiana,” Leising said. “Owning a farm is not easy, and owning a farm for more than 100 years is a true accomplishment. These families should be proud of their achievement.”
“About 98 percent of Indiana farms are family owned, and they are a big reason why our state is a national leader in agriculture,” Ziemke said. “These farm families bring so much value to our community. There are several opportunities, especially during the holidays, to experience all of the work that goes into farming.”
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.
