State presents local farms with Hoosier Homestead awards

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 16, 2024) – Indiana recently honored local farms in Huntington, Miami and Wabash counties owned and operated by the same family for at least 100 years with Hoosier Homestead awards, according to area legislators.

"Our state's agriculture industry is critical to our economy, and these farmers help contribute to our communities and food supply chains," said State Rep. Ethan Manning (R-Logansport). "It's encouraging to see these Hoosiers maintain and grow their family business for so long.”

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

"It takes a tremendous amount of perseverance and dedication to keep these family farms up and running," said State Rep. Lorissa Sweet (R-Wabash). "Indiana is rich in agriculture, and it's an amazing accomplishment for these homesteads to stay in operation for 100 years or more."

The following farms received Hoosier Homestead awards:

• The Berglan Farm, in operation since 1874, received the sesquicentennial award;
• The Daihl Farm, in operation since 1873, received centennial and sesquicentennial awards;
• The Gahs Farm, in operation since 1874, received the sesquicentennial award;
• The Kirtlan Farm, in operation since 1924, received the centennial award;
• The Kranz Farm, in operation since 1874, received the sesquicentennial award;
• The Patricia Hardwick & Shirley Kerns Farm, in operation since 1855, received the sesquicentennial award;
• The Peter Fisher-John H. Balsbaugh-Raymond E. Mussleman Farm, in operation since 1837, received centennial and sesquicentennial awards;
• The Philip Shafer Farm, in operation since 1923, received the centennial award;
• The Schuler Farm, in operation since 1920, received the centennial award; and
• The Shewman Farm, in operation since 1869, received centennial and sesquicentennial awards.

"Agriculture is an integral part of Indiana," said State Sen. Stacey Donato (R-Logansport). "These family farms deserve to be recognized for being a part of this success for over a century. I congratulate them on this amazing achievement and thank them for all they continue to do for our state." 

These farm families were among 104 awardees recently recognized at the Indiana State Fair for their dedication to the state's agriculture industry. Hoosier Homestead ceremonies are conducted every spring and summer. The state has honored more than 6,000 farms since the award was established in 1976.

"Hoosier farmers contribute greatly to Indiana's economy and its success," said State Sen. Andy Zay (R-Huntington). "I'm proud to see these local family farms receive this honor, and I thank them for all they do to support our great state's agricultural production."

Visit in.gov/isda for more information on the Hoosier Homestead Award Program and to nominate a farm. Nominations for the March 2025 ceremony are due by Nov. 1.

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State Rep. Ethan Manning (R-Logansport) represents House District 23,
which includes portions of Cass and Miami counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Rep. Lorissa Sweet (R-Wabash) represents House District 50,
which includes all of Huntington County, and portions of Miami, Wabash and Wells counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Sen. Stacey Donato (R-Logansport) represents Senate District 18,
which includes Cass, Fulton and Miami counties, and portions of Howard and Kosciusko counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Sen. Andy Zay (R-Huntington) represents Senate District 17,
which includes Grant, Huntington and Wabash counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.