Nominations Open for Indiana Award Honoring Historic Working Farms

By Andi Anderson

Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Farm Bureau are inviting nominations for the 2026 John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation. This annual award honors historic farms in Indiana that continue to operate while preserving their original structures and agricultural heritage.

Since its creation in 1992, more than 30 farms across the state have received this recognition for their dedication to historic preservation and continued farming use.

The most recent recipient, the Stine‑Anderson Family Farm in Clinton County, won the award in 2025. The program highlights farms that have maintained historic features such as original farmhouses, barns, traditional outbuildings, and landscape elements while still functioning as active agricultural properties.

Nominations for the award are open to anyone, including the owners of historic farms. The application process is simple and asks for three main components:

• A brief history of the farm and the important historic structures located on the property.
• A description of how these buildings are still being used or have been preserved and adapted for daily farming operations.
• High‑resolution photographs of the property, including current and historic images.

The winning farm will receive an outdoor marker and a feature story in Indiana Preservation magazine, giving the farm statewide recognition for its commitment to preserving rural history.

The award is named after John Arnold (1955–1991), a respected Rush County farmer. Arnold was known for combining modern agricultural practices with a strong dedication to preserving the historic and natural landscape around him.

Indiana Landmarks established the award in his memory to honor others who share the same passion for conservation and rural heritage.

Nominations can be submitted online at indianalandmarks.org/john-arnold-award-rural-preservation. The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2026.

This award continues to encourage farmers and landowners to protect Indiana’s agricultural history while keeping their farms productive for future generations.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-brzozowska