INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Don Lamb recently presented 56 farming families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture. Of those receiving awards, there is one family in Bartholomew, Johnson, and Shelby counties.
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 fewer than 20 acres, the farm must produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year. There are three honors: the Centennial Award (100 years of ownership), the Sesquicentennial Award (150 years), and the Bicentennial Award (200 years).
Since the program’s inception in 1976, over 6,000 families have received the honor. Many past awardees can be identified by the sign proudly displayed in front of the family farm or field.
Among the local recipients honored during the spring 2023 ceremony:
- Tooley-Calvin family, since 1907, Centennial Award, Bartholomew County
- Becker family, since 1919, Centennial Award, Johnson County
- Marvin Covalt family, since 1922, Centennial Award, Shelby County