Indiana Honors Long-Standing Farming Families

By Andi Anderson

The Hoosier Homestead Award Ceremony held at the Indiana Statehouse honored 59 farming families for their longstanding commitment to Indiana agriculture. Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Don Lamb presented the awards to these families. Among the recipients were the Dorton family from Harrison County and the Coleman family from Parke County, who received the prestigious Bicentennial Award for 200 years of continuous ownership of their farms.

The criteria for receiving the Hoosier Homestead Award include owning the farm for more than 100 consecutive years and having a land size of more than 20 acres or producing more than $1,000 worth of agricultural products annually if the farm is smaller than 20 acres. Farms can qualify for three types of awards based on their years of ownership: Centennial Award for 100 years, Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years, and Bicentennial Award for 200 years.

Since the program's inception in 1976, over 6,100 families have been honored with the Hoosier Homestead Award, contributing to Indiana's rich agricultural history. The ceremony, held at the historic Indiana Statehouse, provided a unique opportunity to reflect on the significant role these families have played in shaping the state's agricultural landscape over the past centuries.

The list of awardees from various counties underscores the widespread presence of longstanding farming traditions across Indiana. Each family's dedication to agriculture was celebrated, highlighting their resilience and commitment to sustaining Indiana's agricultural economy.

The event also served as a reminder of the evolving nature of agriculture and its profound impact on society over the past two centuries. Despite the immense changes witnessed in the agricultural sector, these families have remained steadfast in their commitment to farming, ensuring its continuity for future generations.

The ceremony concluded with the announcement of the upcoming 2024 Summer Hoosier Homestead Award Ceremony, scheduled to take place on August 14, 2024, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. This event will continue the tradition of honoring Indiana's farming families and their invaluable contributions to the state's agricultural heritage.

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