FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Paige Gehlhausen, Press Secretary
Paige.Gehlhausen@iga.in.gov
317-232-9425
Emily Mertz, Press Secretary Intern
Emily.Mertz@iga.in.gov
STATEHOUSE (March 21, 2025) – Area legislators are recognizing the latest local recipients of the Hoosier Homestead Award, which recognizes farms owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more.
Represented by State Sen. Sue Glick (R-LaGrange) and State Reps. David Abbott (R-Rome City) and Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn), two locally owned farms were honored at the Statehouse.
The Hogue/Knott farm in DeKalb County and the Kimmell farm in Noble County received Centennial awards.
The Hoosier Homestead Award Program honors families who have made significant contributions to Indiana agriculture. Instituted in 1976, the program has recognized more than 6,000 family farms that have impacted Indiana's economic, cultural and social advancement.
"Farming is the backbone of economic success for rural communities," Glick said. "These families work tirelessly every day for generations to help keep Indiana as one of the top agricultural producers in the country. I commend these representatives of Hoosier farming for their dedication."
"Indiana's agricultural industry has thrived for generations thanks to the hard work of Hoosier families like these who work consistently to preserve their legacy farms and support our state's economy," Abbott said. "Congratulations to these families on this remarkable achievement and I wish them continued success in the future."
"Indiana is known for its strong farming communities, which contribute to the ongoing success of our state," Smaltz said. "I am honored to support and celebrate the farm families who are dedicated to preserving and expanding our agricultural heritage."
To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years and consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year. The award distinctions are centennial, sesquicentennial and bicentennial – for 100, 150 and 200 years, respectively.
To learn more about the program or to apply for a Hoosier Homestead Award, visit www.in.gov/isda.
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ATTENTION MEDIA: Photos of the event can be found here. According to ISDA, all family photos will be available online by March 28, 2025.
State Sen. Sue Glick (R-LaGrange) represents Senate District 13,
which includes LaGrange, Noble and Steuben counties and a portion of DeKalb County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. David Abbott (R-Rome City) represents House District 18,
which includes portions of Elkhart, Kosciusko, Noble and Whitley counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) represents House District 52, which
includes all of DeKalb County, and portions of Noble and Steuben counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
