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Perfect: Local farms honored at the Statehouse


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kyra Helming, Press Secretary

Kyra.Helming@iga.in.gov

317-232-9498

Local farms honored at the Statehouse

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. Chip Perfect (R-Lawrenceburg) and State Reps. Randy Frye (R-Greensburg) and Randy Lyness (R-West Harrison), four locally owned farms were honored at the Statehouse:

• The John W. and Emo Vestal farm in Ripley County received a Centennial Award;

• The Kuebel/McCarty farm in Dearborn County received Centennial and Sesquicentennial awards;

• The Simon farm in Ripley County received a Centennial Award; and

• The Vorbroker farm in Ohio County received a Sesquicentennial Award.

"These families are great examples of what dedication and strong work ethic can accomplish," Perfect said. "As a business owner and longtime advocate of the agriculture industry, I understand the commitment it takes to operate a farm for more than 100 years, and I am glad we can honor these farms for their service to our state."

"Having worked on my family’s farm growing up, I saw the dedication and daily sacrifices it took to keep it running," Frye said. "Recognizing the achievements of these Hoosiers is important as they continue to play a vital role in our communities and economy."

"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."

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. Chip Perfect (R-Lawrenceburg) represents Senate District 43, which includes all or parts of Bartholomew, Dearborn, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings, Ohio and Ripley counties. Click here for a high-resolution photo.

State Rep. Randy Frye (R-Greensburg) represents House District 67, which includes all of Ohio and Switzerland counties, as well as portions of Dearborn, Decatur, Jefferson, Jennings and Ripley counties. Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Rep. Randy Lyness (R-West Harrison) represents House District 68, which includes all of Union County and portions of Franklin and Dearborn counties. Click here to download a high-resolution photo.