Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb recently presented 59 farming families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.
Two Montgomery County families were among the honorees. The Richard S. and Sandra K. Clouser farm received a sesquicentennial award and the Gentry family received a centennial award.
“These long-standing Hoosier farming families are the backbone of our state’s rich agricultural history,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “They have dedicated their lives to supporting our strong agricultural economy, and it was a pleasure to honor them today.”
To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years and consist of more than 20 acres. If less than 20 acres, the farm must produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year. Indiana farms may qualify for three honors: Centennial Award for 100 years of ownership, Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years of ownership and the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership.
Since the program’s inception in 1976, over 6,100 families have received the Hoosier Homestead Award. Many past awardees can be identified by the sign proudly displayed in front of the family farm or field.
“The Indiana statehouse is a historic venue for hosting this historic ceremony,” said Lamb. “Honoring over 50 farming families today was an unique look into Indiana’s rich past, especially when celebrating two bicentennial awards. Thinking of how much agriculture, and our whole world, has changed in the last 200 years was an incredible thought and we are so thankful to these farming families for remaining committed to agriculture production.”
During the ceremonies, two Indiana farms received the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of continuous ownership: the Dorton family from Harrison County and the Coleman family from Parke County.
