A family farm La Porte County and another from Pulaski County were among more than 60 presented with a 2022 Hoosier Homestead Award.
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler presented 69 families with awards recognizing their commitment to Indiana agriculture.
“I always look forward to engaging with Indiana’s historic farming families during the Hoosier Homestead Award ceremonies,” Crouch said. “The longstanding values, dedication and resiliency of these families will ensure their farm and family’s legacy live on for many generations.”
Indiana farms may qualify for three honors: Centennial Award for 100 years of ownership, Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years of ownership and the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership.
The Hagenow family farm, established in 1891 in LaPorte County, received a Centennial Award. The Selmer family farm, established in 1872 in Pulaski County, received a Sesquicentennial Award.
Hoosier Homestead award-winning 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 annually.
Three Indiana farms were honored for bicentennial ownership this year. They included the Williams farm from Madison County (est. 1822), the Hartman farm from Parke County (est. 1822) and the Arnold farm from Rush County (est. 1821).
Since the program's inception in 1976, nearly 6,000 families have received the Hoosier Homestead Award. Many past awardees can be identified by the sign displayed in front of the family farm or field.
“It is hard to put into words the value these farming families have provided to their communities, our state and the Indiana agricultural industry since the formation of their farms,” Kettler said.
The complete list of the 2022 Hoosier Homestead Award recipients can be viewed on the Indiana State Department of Agriculture website.
