State honors longstanding local farms with Hoosier Homestead awards

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 21, 2023) – Local farms owned and operated by the same family for at least 100 years were recently honored with Hoosier Homestead awards, according to area legislators.

"Farming is much more than just an economic factor in Southeast Indiana," said State Rep. Lindsay Patterson (R-Brookville). "This industry is part of our local communities' culture, and its importance shows through the generations of Hoosiers carrying on these timeless farming traditions."

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

"As chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and a farm owner myself, I understand how much hard work is required to maintain a farm," said State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg). "It is an accomplishment to manage a family farm for more than a century, and I congratulate and thank these families for their dedication."

Located in Franklin and Fayette counties, these farms were presented Hoosier Homestead awards:

• The Bulmer Farm, in operation since 1916, received the centennial award;
• The Meier-Bachus Farm, in operation since 1889, received the centennial award;
• The Miles Farm, in operation since 1905, received the centennial award;
• The Thompson Farm, in operation since 1854, received centennial and sesquicentennial awards; and
• The Vaughn Farm, in operation since 1890, received the centennial award.

"Owning and operating a family farm for more than a century takes unwavering dedication and plays a key role in helping our communities and state thrive," said State Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond). "I wish these families continued success and thank them for their long-term support of Indiana agriculture."

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 Rep. Lindsay Patterson (R-Brookville) represents House District 55, which includes 
all of Fayette, Franklin and Union counties, and portions of Decatur, Ripley and Rush counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) represents Senate District 42, which includes
Decatur, Fayette, Ripley and Rush counties, and portions of Franklin, Jennings and Shelby counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) represents Senate District 27, which includes
Henry, Union and Wayne counties, and portions of Franklin County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.