SEYMOUR, Ind. — At the Indiana Statehouse Friday, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Don Lamb presented 59 farming families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.
“These long-standing Hoosier farming families are the backbone of our state’s rich agricultural history,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “They have dedicated their lives to supporting our strong agricultural economy.”
To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be at least 20 acres and owned by the same family for over 100 consecutive years. If fewer than 20 acres, the farm must produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products annually. 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.
Since the program’s inception in 1976, over 6,100 families have received the Hoosier Homestead Award. A sign can identify many past awardees proudly displayed in front of the family farm or field.
The David and Brenda Simmons farm in Bartholomew County received a Centennial and Sesquicentennial Award. They have been farming since 1850.
Five Jackson County families also received Hoosier Homestead Awards:
- Cummings family – Centennial (1924)
- Durham family – Centennial (1919)
- Koop/Otte/Rieker family – Centennial and Sesquicentennial (1867)
- Speaker/Otte/Rieker family – Centennial (1886)
- Tatlock Farms – Centennial (1888)
