By Andi Anderson
On August 8, at the Indiana State Fair, the Jordan family from Miami County will be awarded the 2024 John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation by Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Farm Bureau.
This prestigious award honors the family's dedication to preserving "Old Fashioned Garden," a historic farmstead with a rich history dating back to 1838.
The farm, originally part of land deeded to Chief Francis Godfroy of the Miami Nation, is located southeast of Peru, Indiana. The property includes a mixture of rolling farmland, pastures, and a historic gambrel-roof dairy barn, likely built around 1910 by the Cole family.
This barn and the large flower garden planted by songwriter Cole Porter’s step-grandmother, Bessie Cole, are key elements of the farm’s history. The garden is believed to have inspired Porter’s first commercially successful song, "Old Fashioned Garden," in 1919.
Larry and Susan Jordan purchased the 217-acre farm in 1973 and have since worked alongside their son, A.J., to grow soybeans and corn on its fertile land.
The Jordans live in a historic Colonial Revival-style residence, which evolved from a log structure built in the mid-1800s. The family also raises livestock, including Hereford and Simmental cattle, in the historic dairy barn, which once hosted trapeze artists from Peru’s amateur circus in the 1960s.
Susan Jordan maintains the old-fashioned garden, planting flowers mentioned in Porter’s song, and shares the farm's history with visitors during the annual Cole Porter Festival. Additionally, the Jordans are caretakers of the historic Butler Township School 11, known as Iddings School, which was built in 1894 on their property.
The Jordan family's commitment to preserving this historic farmstead exemplifies the spirit of the John Arnold Award. As Susan Jordan notes, their dedication to maintaining and improving the land reflects their deep-rooted belief in stewardship, ensuring that the farm’s heritage is preserved for future generations.
The award will be presented during the Indiana Department of Agriculture’s Celebration of Agriculture at the Indiana State Fair, with the Jordan family accepting the honor from Indiana Landmarks’ President Marsh Davis and Indiana Farm Bureau President Randy Kron.
They will be joined by Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and Don Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.
Photo Credit: indiana-state-fair
Categories: Indiana, General