Southern Indiana Business Report
INDIANAPOLIS – Three farms in Dubois County and one in Greene County were honored as recipients of the Hoosier Homestead Award last Friday at the Indiana Statehouse.
The award recognizes farms owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more.
Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb presented 56 farming families with a Hoosier Homestead Award.
The Dubois County farms honored:
- The Bartelt-Klosterman farms received two Centennial awards and a Sesquicentennial Award
- The Neuhoff family farm received a Centennial Award
- The Vogler farm received a Centennial Award
The Reel farm from Greene County received a Centennial Award.
State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper) and State Rep. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty), praised the Dubois County farm families who maintain their farms.
“As a fifth-generation farmer, I am proud to honor family farms like these that continue to uphold agricultural traditions vital to both the heritage and future of Indiana’s success,” Schmitt said. “I want to recognize all Hoosier Homestead recipients as key figures of their community, essential to the growth of this great state.”
“Congratulations to these Hoosier farm families for this remarkable achievement,” Bartels said. “I admire our farmers for their resilience and hard work in feeding our communities and strengthening our economy.”
State legislators Sen. Eric Bassler (R-Washington) and State Rep. Bruce Borders (R-Jasonville) also took part in the recognition.
“The roots of agricultural legacy run deep for generations of Hoosier families,” Bassler said. “This award not only recognizes the Reel family’s successful history with their farm, but also acknowledges the state homesteaders who paved the way for Indiana’s future economic success.”
“It’s incredible to see family farms, like the Reel family’s, that have stood the test of time, providing for their communities and passing down traditions,” Borders said. “The Hoosier Homestead Award is a testament to the grit and determination of these families, and I’m honored to help recognize them.”
The Hoosier Homestead Award Program honors families who have made significant contributions to Indiana agriculture. Instituted in 1976, the program has recognized more than 6,000 family farms that have impacted Indiana’s economic, cultural and social advancement.
“Agriculture has always served as the foundation of Indiana’s economy and way of life,” said Beckwith, secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “It was a privilege to celebrate these longstanding farming families for their enduring legacies during today’s ceremony.”
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 less than 20 acres, the farm must produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year. 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.
“Each year I look forward to honoring these long-standing farming families during the Hoosier Homestead ceremonies,” said Lamb. “I know firsthand the amount of hard work, and grit required to ensure a family remains in the same family for 100 years or more. I commend each of this year’s awardees and thank them for their dedication to Indiana and our agriculture industry.”
To learn more about the program or to apply for a Hoosier Homestead Award, visit www.in.gov/isda.