STATEHOUSE - State Representative Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) congratulates the Garard family of Morgan County for receiving the Hoosier Homestead Award. Rep. Mayfield joined Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann who presented the awards during a ceremony held in the Farm Bureau Building at the Indiana State Fair.
“I want to congratulate the Garard family on their years of success, and I am happy to see them receive the recognition they deserve through the Hoosier Homestead Award Program,” said Rep. Mayfield.
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 Egbert, Adams, Hamm and Garard Farm, located in Martinsville, has been in operation since 1903. The family received the centennial award for over 100 years of ownership.
In 1976, the 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.
“Many of us take for granted the fact that we can go to the grocery store and buy fresh meat, produce and other goods without much thought as to what it takes to bring that food to the table,” said Rep. Mayfield. “We owe these farming families a debt of gratitude.”
Each year, two award ceremonies are held; one at the Statehouse in February and the other at the State Fair in August. For more information on the Hoosier Homestead Award Program or to nominate a family for the award, visit www.in.gov/isda/2337.
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