FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lance Gideon, Press Secretary
Lance.Gideon@iga.in.gov
317-234-9221
Daniella Neise, Press Secretary Intern
Daniella.Neise@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. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) and State Reps. Mark Genda (R-Frankfort) and Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo), two locally owned farms were honored at the Statehouse.
The Dave and Donna Scanlon farm in Tippecanoe County received a Centennial Award and Sesquicentennial Award, and the James R. Hodges farm in Carroll County received a Centennial Award.
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.
"Hoosier farms continue to represent the cornerstone of both the state's economy and identity," Alting said. "Our agricultural legacy is the product of dedicated residents like the Scanlon and Hodges families, and it's an honor to represent a district that is home to these outstanding farmers and traditions."
"We could not be the great state we are today without the hard work and dedication of our farm families," Genda said. "With Hoosier Homestead awards, we can recognize those who have withstood the changes and challenges farmers face."
"Agriculture continues to play a significant role in the economic success of our state," VanNatter said. "These families are great examples of the dedication farmers across our state exhibit every day, and I congratulate them on their outstanding accomplishment."
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. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) represents Senate District 22,
which includes Carroll County and portions of Tippecanoe County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Mark Genda (R-Frankfort) represents House District 41,
which includes portions of Boone, Clinton, Montgomery and Tippecanoe counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) represents House District 38,
which includes all of Carroll and Tipton counties, and
portions of Cass, Clinton, Howard and Tippecanoe counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
