FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kyra Helming, Press Secretary
317-232-9498
STATEHOUSE (April 6, 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. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) and State Reps. Randy Lyness (R-West Harrison), Thomas Saunders (R-Lewisville) and Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville), five locally owned farms were honored at the Statehouse:
• The Arnold farm in Rush County received Centennial, Sesquicentennial and Bicentennial Awards;
• The Collins/Addison farm in Rush County received Centennial and Sesquicentennial Awards;
• The Daubenspeck farm in Rush County received Centennial and Sesquicentennial Awards;
• The Fledderman farm in Franklin County received a Centennial Award; and
• The Middendorf-Goldsmith farm in Franklin County received Centennial and Sesquicentennial Awards.
“As chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and a farm owner, I know how hard it is to run a farm and the sacrifices you have to make to succeed," Leising said. "I am glad we are taking the time to recognize these local families for their dedication and perseverance over the years. Congratulations to all of the award winners, and I look forward to watching their continued positive impact on agriculture in Indiana."
"Running a farm isn't an easy job and to do so for more than 100 years takes a tremendous amount of perseverance," Lyness said. "We owe a lot to these farmers who work hard to put food on our tables."
"Day in and day out, Hoosier farmers put in an endless amount of work that too often goes unnoticed," Saunders said. "Being able to recognize farming families from our community is a great honor considering how much time they dedicate to ensuring Indiana remains agriculturally strong. Congratulations to these recipients."
"Farmers have always, and continue to be, a key part of Indiana’s rich history and economic success," Ziemke said. "Our community is lucky to have so many local families keeping the Hoosier farming tradition alive and thriving."
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. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) represents Senate District 42, which includes all or parts of Decatur, Fayette, Franklin, Henry, Ripley, Rush and Shelby counties. Click here for a high resolution photo.
State Rep. Randy Lyness (R-West Harrison) represents House District 68, which include all of Union County and portions of Franklin and Dearborn counties. Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Tom Saunders (R-Lewisville) represents House District 54, which includes Henry County and portions of Rush and Wayne counties. Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville) represents House District 55, which includes all of Fayette County and portions of Decatur, Franklin, Ripley and Rush counties. Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
