Pulaski County’s Meyer, Podell Families Receive Hoosier Homestead Centennial Award

The Podell family with Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler and Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch (Indiana State Department of Agriculture photo)

Two Pulaski County farms were recognized for their longevity last week at the Indiana State Fair. The William Meyer and Theodore & Lowell Podell farms were both presented with the Hoosier Homestead Centennial Award, according to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

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Unique Local Farm Included in Indiana State Fair’s Featured Farmers Program

The Troike Family
Adults: Debbie, Ed, Kristen and Jason
Children: Jackson and Zoe

A local family farm that offers fresh, saltwater shrimp is one of the 17 Hoosier farms being highlighted in the Indiana State Fair’s Featured Farmers program.

The Troike family’s Walkerton-based “Hoosier Shrimp Farm” will be in the spotlight at the State Fair in Indianapolis this week. Their day of recognition is Tuesday, August 14th.

According to an article provided by the Indiana State Fair, Jason and Kristen Troike started the Hoosier Shrimp farm in the spring of 2014, with the help of Jason’s parent Ed and Debbie. Kristen commented that the family is very proud to be able to provide landlocked northwest Indiana with a seafood product that can’t normally be obtained in-state. Continue reading →

Long-time Farming Families Receive Recognition at Indiana State Fair

Will Family Farm of Starke County

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. Continue reading →

Indiana State Fair Opens Today

  
 
The Indiana State Fair gets under way today in Indianapolis and continues through Aug. 18. Attractions include the midway, food, exhibits, entertainment and more. Each year the fair spotlights a segment of Indiana agriculture, and this is the Year of Popcorn. The Hoosier State is the second largest producer of popcorn in the country. The tasty kernels are also good for you. Air-popped popcorn has about 31 calories per cup, while the oil popped variety contains 55 calories per similar size serving. Light butter ups the calorie ante to 133 calories per cup. It’s sugar-free and has no artificial additives or preservatives. Popcorn provides complex carbohydrates, which the body turns into energy, and contains fiber. Additionally three cups of popcorn equal one serving from the grain group.

Hoosier Homesteads To Be Recognized At State Fair Today

Seventy-five families will be presented with the Hoosier Homestead Award this morning at 10:30 a.m. ET at the Indiana State Fair.

To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years and consist of 20 acres or more or produce at least $1,000 worth of agricultural products per year. The award was created to recognize the contribution these family farms have made to the economic, cultural and social advancements of Indiana.

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Swine At The Indiana State Fair To Be Thoroughly Examined

The State Board of Animal Health is taking extra precautions in carefully examining pigs being unloaded at the Indiana State Fair – this after several pigs were found with symptoms of influenza A at the LaPorte and Monroe county fairs. The pigs are being thoroughly monitored and examined before being allowed to enter the swine barn.

Four people were sickened at the LaPorte County Fair after they had reportedly come into direct contact with the animals, and confirmed test results indicate the cause as a variant of the influenza A virus. Humans and swine alike tested positive for the virus, and officials say the virus was directly transmitted from the infected animals.

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