STATEHOUSE (Aug. 17, 2023) – Ripley County farms owned and operated by the same family for at least 100 years were recently honored with Hoosier Homestead awards, according to area legislators.
"To be successful in this industry for generations takes an unbelievable amount of hard work and persistence," said State Rep. Alex Zimmerman (R-North Vernon). "For these Hoosiers, farming is a way of life and we're thankful for their commitment."
Farms owned and maintained by the same family for 100, 150 and 200 years can qualify for centennial, sesquicentennial or bicentennial Hoosier Homestead awards.
"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."
Located in Ripley County, these farms were presented 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."
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. 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 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 Rep. Alex Zimmerman (R-North Vernon) represents House District 67,
which includes portions of Decatur, Jefferson, Jennings and Ripley counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
