FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kyra Helming, Press Secretary
317-232-9498
STATEHOUSE (April 5, 2022) – Area legislators today announced the latest recipients of the Hoosier Homestead Award, which recognizes farms that have been owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more.
The Hoosier Homestead Award Program honors families who have made significant contributions to Indiana agriculture. The program, instituted in 1976, recognizes the impact these family farms have made to the economic, cultural and social advancements of Indiana. Within the past 45 years, more than 5,800 farms have received the honor.
Represented by State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) and State Rep. Ryan Lauer (R-Columbus), two locally owned farms were honored at the Statehouse.
Both located in Bartholomew County, the Burbrink Family farm received a Centennial Award and the Dallas and Hazel Kreinhagen farm received Centennial and Sesquicentennial awards.
"With 96% of Indiana farms being family-owned or -operated, it is important we take time to recognize those that have contributed to our local community for more than 100 years," Koch said. "Congratulations to the Burbrink Family and the Dallas and Hazel Kreinhagen farms for your years of dedication and making it to this milestone."
"Operating a farm spanning multiple generations and more than 100 years is a tremendous accomplishment," Lauer said. "This award is a well deserved, and I thank the Burbrink and Kreinhagen families for their continued contributions to our state."
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.
Two Hoosier Homestead award ceremonies are held each year – one at the Statehouse in April and one at the State Fair in August. To learn more about the program or to apply for a Hoosier Homestead award, visit www.in.gov/isda/2337.htm.
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High-resolution photos of the award recipients can be found by visiting www.flickr.com/photos/isda_gov/albums
Note: Not all award recipients attended the ceremony at the Statehouse
State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) represents Senate District 44, which includes all or parts of Bartholomew, Brown, Jackson, Lawrence and Monroe counties. Click here for a high resolution photo.
State Rep. Ryan Lauer (R-Columbus) represents House District 59, which includes portions of Bartholomew County. Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
