FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lance Gideon, Press Secretary
Lance.Gideon@iga.in.gov
317-234-9221
STATEHOUSE (March 25, 2024) – Area legislators are recognizing the latest local recipients of the Hoosier Homestead Award, which recognizes farms owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more.
Represented by State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper), State Rep. Steve Bartels (R-Eckerty), State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka) and State Rep. Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper), five locally owned farms were honored at the Statehouse.
The Hoosier Homestead Award Program honors families who have made significant contributions to Indiana agriculture. Instituted in 1976, the program has recognized more than 6,000 family farms that have impacted Indiana's economic, cultural and social advancement.
"These five family farms are great examples of Hoosier work ethic and perseverance," Messmer said. "Indiana is one of the top agricultural producing states in the country thanks to farms like these, and I congratulate the families on receiving this recognition they so greatly deserve."
"Family farms play a major role in the state's agricultural and economic strength," Bartels said. "Indiana's farm families are second to none and I wish them continued success."
"These family farms have made a great impact on our community and state for over a century, and I'm glad to see them recognized for their hard work and dedication to their craft," Hostettler said. "They provide an invaluable service to Indiana and I commend them for their longevity."
"It's thanks to family farms like these that Indiana has become such an agricultural powerhouse," Lindauer said. "They're part of Indiana's rich farming heritage and we're fortunate to have them in our community."
To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years and consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year. The award distinctions are centennial, sesquicentennial and bicentennial – for 100, 150 and 200 years, respectively.
To learn more about the program or to apply for a Hoosier Homestead Award, visit www.in.gov/isda/2337.htm. Photos of the event can be found here.
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State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48, which
includes Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) represents House District 74,
which includes all of Crawford, Perry and Spencer counties,
and portions of Dubois and Orange counties.
Click here for a high resolution photo.
State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka) represents House District 64,
which includes portions of Gibson, Knox and Vanderburgh counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper) represents House District 63,
which includes all of Martin County, and portions of Daviess, Dubois and Pike counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
