Historic Black Farm Recognized at Indiana State Fair

The Johnson-Bey family was awarded the Hoosier Homestead Farm Centennial Award during the 166th Annual Indiana State Fair.

In a special ceremony on Aug. 16, the Indiana state Department of Agriculture recognized dozens of multi-generational family farms from around the state, including the Johnson-Bey farm — the only minority-owned farm in Bartholomew County and one of 134 minority-owned farms in the state. The award recognizes that the Johnson-Bey family has owned and operated their farm since 1900 and have made a “significant contribution to the heritage and economic development of the state.”

“Farmers back in the day had to work together and then … being minority farmers on top of it,” said Anne Johnson-Bey. “To be able to carry on your tradition in Indiana, we feel very honored to be here and accept this award.”

The Johnson-Bey family farm, which spans 132 acres in Bartholomew County in Hope, Indiana, was purchased by Ophelia and Reuben Johnson-Bey more than 100 years ago and passed down over four generations.

Elihu Johnson-Bey, the grandson of Ophelia and Reuben Johnson-Bey, said it means everything to them to be recognized for keeping their grandparents’ dreams and legacy alive through the farm. When his grandparents first began farming the land, Elihu Johnson-Bey said they used horses to pull plows while caring for cows, pigs, chickens and ducks in addition to a garden they used to sustain their family.

He said it is simply an honor to keep the land and farm it to continue the legacy of “two hardworking farmers that worked and farmed tirelessly, despite all obstacles they faced during that time, to establish land ownership and create a legacy for the generations to come,” — albeit now with updated equipment and tractors.

Source: wfyi.org

Photo Credit: Indiana State Fair