At the Indiana State Fair last Friday, five local farms received the Hoosier Homestead Award, recognizing their families’ century-long commitment to Indiana agriculture.
In order to be considered for the Hoosier Homestead Award, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 years and consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products annually.
This year’s local recipients include the Hostetler-Stutzman Farm of Laporte County, established in 1884 and the Will Family Farm of Starke County, established in 1915. The Pulaski County award winners are Glen-Ray-Den Farms, established in 1879, Needham House Farms, established in 1887 and Louis Tieman’s Farm, established in 1900.
In total, 72 Indiana families received Hoosier Homestead Awards from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. ISDA Director Ted McKinney expressed how important it is to recognize these generational farming families since they provide the food, fuel and fibers we use in everyday life.
