State honors longstanding Jackson County farms with Hoosier Homestead awards

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 21, 2023) – Jackson County farms owned and operated by the same family for at least 100 years were recently honored with Hoosier Homestead awards, according to State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) and State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford).

"Farming is one of Indiana's biggest industries, and it's important to recognize the hardworking Hoosier families who made that possible," Lucas said. "Because of our local farmers, Indiana is and will remain a prominent agriculture state, and continue feeding the world."  

Farms owned and maintained by the same family for 100, 150 and 200 years can qualify for centennial, sesquicentennial or bicentennial Hoosier Homestead awards.

Located in Jackson County, these farms were presented Hoosier Homestead awards:

• The Hazard Homeplace Farm, in operation since 1886, received the centennial award;
• The Hazard Homeplace West Farm, in operation since 1886, received the centennial award; and
• The Thomas L. & Ruth A. Hackman Farm, in operation since 1910, received the centennial award.

"These families have committed generations to farming and are the reason why Indiana remains one of the largest agricultural exporters in the nation," Koch said. "Withstanding more than a century is quite an accomplishment, which is why I commend these families for their dedication and thank them for all they have done to shape our community and state."

These farm families were among 103 awardees recently recognized at the Indiana State Fair for their commitment to agriculture.

Hoosier Homestead award ceremonies are conducted yearly in the spring and summer to commemorate farm families for their legacies and contributions to Indiana's agriculture industry. Since the program started in 1976, the state has honored more than 6,000 farms with this designation.

For more information on the Hoosier Homestead Award Program and to nominate a farm, visit in.gov/isda. Nominations for the March 2024 ceremony are due by Nov. 1.

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State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) represents Senate District 44,
which includes Brown, Jackson, Lawrence and Orange counties, and portions of Monroe County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) represents House District 69,
which includes portions of Bartholomew, Jackson, Scott and Washington counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.