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. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper) and State Reps. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty), Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka) and Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper), 11 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.
"Our part of the state knows firsthand how important agriculture is to our state, and as a farmer myself, I know the hard work it takes year after year to keep a farm going," Schmitt said. "The agriculture legacy is strong in southwest Indiana, and I’m so pleased to see a large number of locally owned family farms receive recognition for their 100 years and beyond of farming the land."
"Agriculture remains one of Indiana's most important industries, and these families have played a direct role in our state's success for generations," Bartels said. "Their perseverance has helped keep rural communities strong and our agricultural production thriving."
"Receiving a Hoosier Homestead Award is a testament to families who have farmed the same land for generations, and through doing so have preserved a piece of Indiana's history," Hostettler said. "With generations of hard work undoubtedly comes hardship and these families have passed down not just farmland but a spirit of perseverance that deserves to be celebrated."
"It's an honor to recognize these families whose legacy to the land has endured for 100, 150 or even 200 years," Lindauer said. "Their dedication reminds us that Indiana's agricultural success is built on strong family values and an unwavering commitment to the future."
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. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48,
which includes Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) represents House District 74, which includes
all of Crawford, Perry and Spencer counties, and portions of Dubois and Orange counties.
Click here for a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka) represents House District 64,
which includes portions of Gibson, Knox and Vanderburgh counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper) represents House District 63,
which includes all of Martin County, and portions of Daviess, Dubois and Pike counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
Contact: Lance Gideon, Senior Press Secretary
Lance.Gideon@iga.in.gov
317-234-9221
