FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEHOUSE (Aug. 20, 2026) – 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 Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) and State Reps. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) and Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville), five locally owned farms were honored at the Indiana State Fair.
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.
"Agriculture has played a vital role in Indiana's economy since our state's founding more than 200 years ago," Bray said. "Farming can be difficult from one year to the next, with many factors impacting family farms that are out of their control. That's why it is such a great accomplishment to continue to operate farms generation after generation, and I congratulate these five families on this achievement."
"Agriculture remains one of Indiana's top economic strengths, and family farms are the heart of that success," said Baird, who serves on the House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. "I appreciate each and every Hoosier farmer who continues their commitment to our state's proud agricultural tradition."
"Strong families build strong communities, and nowhere is that more evident than on Indiana's family farms," Mayfield said. "This award not only celebrates a milestone, but the families themselves who passed down the values of hard work and perseverance generation after generation."
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.
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ATTENTION MEDIA: Photos of the families who attended the event can be found here.
Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) represents Senate District 37, which includes Morgan County and portions of Johnson, Owen and Putnam counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) represents House District 44,
which includes all of Putnam County and a portion of Montgomery County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) represents House District 60,
which includes portions of Johnson, Morgan and Monroe counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
Contact: Molly Swigart, Communications Director
Molly.Swigart@iga.in.gov
317-232-9521
