[r79] Rep. Lehman congratulates local farms for 100+ years of service (8/10/2011)

Rep. Lehman congratulates local farms for 100+ years of service

STATEHOUSE - Rep. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) was at the Indiana State Fair today where Lt. Governor Becky Skillman presented the Hoosier Homestead Awards. Seventy-three families received the award, of which, seven residents from Adams County and one resident from Wells and Allen Counties were recognized.

The Hoosier Homestead Award recognizes families that have owned the same farm in Indiana for 100 years or more.

Recipients of the award from Decatur, Ind. include:

• The Bieberich/Graesch family farm, owned since 1867
• Rene L. Brown, family-owned farm since 1906
• Verlin J. Bulmahn, family-owned farm since 1881
• Mr. & Mrs. Michael W. Crosby and Michael T. Crosby, family-owned farm since 1836
• The Geels family farm, owned since 1886

Recipients of the award from Berne, Ind. include:

• Max Beer, family-owned farm since 1891

Recipients of the award from Bluffton, Ind. include:

• The Wells Kehrn-Isch family farm, owned since 1877

Recipients of the award from Woodburn, Ind. include:

• The Gerardot family farm, owned since 1898

"All of these families deserve to be recognized for their continued service to Indiana's agriculture industry," said Rep. Lehman. "Their dedication to our great state, spanning over a 100 years, is a remarkable accomplishment."

The program was instituted in 1976 and distinguishes eligible family farms for the economic, cultural and social advancements of Indiana.

Indiana family farms may qualify for one of three awards:

• Centennial Award - 100 years of ownership
• Sesquicentennial Award - 150 years of ownership
• Bicentennial Award - 200 years of ownership

Almost 4,500 farms have received the honor in the past 30 years.

"These farms have had a positive influence on our communities in Adams, Allen and Wells County," said Rep. Lehman. "As a resident of Berne, I know the historic and economic impact these family farms have had on all of us."

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