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Last updated on Monday, April 10, 2017
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Ted McKinney presented 39 families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.
"Agriculture contributes $31 billion to our state's economy, and it's because of the hard work, dedication and innovation of Indiana's farming families," said Lt. Governor Crouch. "I want to congratulate them on earning the Hoosier Homestead Award and for their commitment to continuing Indiana's legacy as an agricultural leader."
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 or produce more than $1000 of agricultural products per year. Based on the number of years, farms were eligible to receive the Centennial Award for 100 years of ownership, the Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years of ownership and the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership. Notably, the Bicentennial Award was presented to one family during Friday's ceremony.
Since the program's inception in 1976, more than 5,000 families have received the Hoosier Homestead Award.
"Generation after generation of Indiana's farming families have dedicated their lives to feeding their neighbors, the state and the world," Director McKinney said. "They have contributed so much to our state's legacy, both economically and socially, and are the engine that drives our industry forward. It was an honor to recognize all of these great families at the Statehouse."
Below is a list of the Hoosier Homestead Award recipients honored during the spring 2017 ceremony:
For more information about the Hoosier Homestead Awards, please visit www.isda.in.gov. Photos from today's ceremony will be posted to ISDA's Flickr page by Wednesday, April 12, 2017.
ABOUT ISDA
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) was established as a separate state agency by the Legislature in 2005. The Director is appointed by the Governor and is a member of the Governor's Cabinet. Administratively, ISDA reports to Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Major responsibilities include advocacy for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level, managing soil conservation programs, promoting economic development and agricultural innovation, serving as a regulatory ombudsman for agricultural businesses, and licensing grain firms throughout the state.
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