Bartels: Family farms receive Hoosier Homestead Awards at the Indiana State Fair

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 17, 2018) — Local family farms were recently recognized at the Indiana State Fair for being in operation for 100 years or more.

According to State Rep. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) and State Sens. Erin Houchin (R-Salem) and Mark Messmer (R-Jasper), these farms throughout the area were presented a Hoosier Homestead Award:

• The Perry Crecelius Farm, located in Crawford County, has been in operation since 1918 and received the Centennial Award;
• The Crecelius Farm, located in Crawford County, has been in operation since 1918 and received the Centennial Award;
• The Weisman Farm, located in Dubois County, has been in operation since 1866 and received the Sesquicentennial Award;
• The David and Jessica Watts Farm, located in Orange County, has been in operation since 1860, and received Centennial and Sesquicentennial Awards; and
• The Seger Farm, located in Spencer County, has been in operation since 1915 and received the Centennial Award.

“Indiana is home to nearly 57,000 farming operations, and 97 percent of those are family-owned,” Bartels said. “Maintaining a family farm for more than 100 years is an incredible accomplishment that takes hard work, dedication and patience. It is encouraging to have so many longstanding family operations in our area, and I congratulate them on their achievement.”

“Much of Indiana’s history is based in agriculture, and family farms are especially crucial to this industry,” Houchin said. “Congratulations to these families for reaching these impressive milestones. Their hard work and dedication to Indiana agriculture is inspiring!”

“Agriculture plays a large role in our community and the entire state,” Messmer said. “These family farms create jobs, provide food and showcase our Hoosier work ethic. I want to congratulate these families on their hard work and dedication to continuing this Hoosier tradition.”

The Hoosier Homestead Award Program recognizes farms that have been owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more. Families can qualify for the centennial, sesquicentennial or bicentennial award. 

Each year, two awards ceremonies are held in the spring and summer commemorating the achievements of farm families across the state. For more information on the Hoosier Homestead Award Program, visit www.in.gov/isda/2337.htm.

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State Rep. Steve Bartels (R-Eckerty) represents House District 74,

which includes portions of Spencer, Dubois, Perry, Crawford and Orange counties.

State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem) represents Senate District 47, which includes

Crawford, Orange, Harrison, Perry and Washington counties, and eastern Dubois County.

State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48, which includes

Pike and Spencer counties, and portions of Dubois, Knox, Gibson and Warrick counties.