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 State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) and State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo), two Carroll County farms were honored at the Indiana State Fair.
The Johnson farm received a Centennial Award, and the Todd farm received a Sesquicentennial Award.
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.
"Hoosier farmers work year after year to produce the food and raw materials we need to maintain a strong economy," Alting said. "These hard-working families are a great example of the effort it takes to keep farms going for generations, and I congratulate both the Johnson and Todd families for earning these honors."
"Across generations, these farm families have adapted to changing seasons, markets and technologies while remaining committed to feeding their communities and strengthening Indiana," VanNatter said. "The Hoosier Homestead Award recognizes not only a remarkable family legacy, but also the lasting impact these farms have on our state's agricultural heritage and rural communities."
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.
State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) represents Senate District 22,
which includes Carroll County and a portion of Tippecanoe County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) represents House District 38,
which includes all of Carroll and Tipton counties, and
portions of Cass, Clinton, Howard and Tippecanoe counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
Contact: Lance Gideon, Senior Press Secretary
Lance.Gideon@iga.in.gov
317-234-9221
