Indiana Farming Families Honored with Hoosier Homestead Awards

By Andi Anderson

Fifty-six Indiana farming families were recently honored with the Hoosier Homestead Award for their dedication to agriculture and for maintaining family-owned farms for more than 100 years.

The awards were presented on March 21 at the Indiana Statehouse by Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and Indiana State Department of Agriculture director Don Lamb.

“Agriculture has always served as the foundation of Indiana’s economy and way of life,” said Beckwith, who also serves as the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. He praised the families for their enduring contributions to the state’s farming history.

To qualify for the Hoosier Homestead Award, a farm must be in the same family for over 100 years and be at least 20 acres or produce $1,000 worth of agricultural products annually.

The awards include the Centennial Award for 100 years, the Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years, and the rare Bicentennial Award for 200 years of continuous ownership.

Among this year’s awardees, the Hogue/Knott Farm in DeKalb County, founded in 1900, and the Kimmell Farm in Noble County, established in 1924, received the Centennial Award.

Two families from Decatur County—the Hamilton Batterton and McCoy families—were awarded the prestigious Bicentennial Award for maintaining their farms for 200 years.

Since the program began in 1976, more than 6,200 families have been recognized. Many proudly display their Hoosier Homestead signs on their properties, marking their contribution to Indiana’s farming heritage.

“Each year, I look forward to honoring these long-standing families,” said Don Lamb. “Their commitment reflects the hard work and perseverance needed to preserve farms for future generations.”

These awards highlight the strength of Indiana’s agricultural roots and celebrate families that have helped shape the state’s farming history for more than a century.

Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic