STATEHOUSE - State Representative Greg Beumer (R-Modoc) congratulates the May and Eley families of Jay County for receiving the Hoosier Homestead Award. The awards were presented by Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann in the Farm Bureau Building at the Indiana State Fair.
The Hoosier Homestead Award Program recognizes farming families that have owned and operated the same farm for 100 years or more. Centennial awards were given for 100 years of ownership, while sesquicentennial and bicentennial awards were given for 150 and 200 years of ownership respectively.
The May Farm has been in operation since 1890. The family received the centennial award for over 100 years of ownership. The Eley Farm received the sesquicentennial award and has been in operation since 1863.
“In Indiana, agriculture is a way of life for many families,” said Rep. Beumer. “The hard work and dedication of these families has provided our state a sustainable means of livelihood since its inception. Starting a business and maintaining it through the highs and lows is not easy. I want to commend the May and Eley families on this impressive accomplishment.”
In 1976, the Hoosier Homestead Award Program was first established to acknowledge Indiana’s farming families that have made contributions to the economy, culture and the state’s overall advancement. Since the program’s inception, roughly 5,000 farms have been recognized for their dedication to Hoosier agriculture.
Each year, two award ceremonies are held; one at the Statehouse in February and the other at the Indiana State Fair in August. For more information on the program or to nominate a family for the award, visit www.in.gov/isda/2337.
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