FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sen. Leising Contact: Jacob Stewart, Press Secretary
Jacob.Stewart@iga.in.gov
317-232-9498
Elijah Roberson, Press Secretary Intern
Elijah.Roberson@iga.in.gov
Reps. Meltzer, Patterson, Zimmerman Contact: Amanda Schreiber
Amanda.Schreiber@iga.in.gov
317-232-9705
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. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) and State Reps. Jennifer Meltzer (R-Shelbyville), Lindsay Patterson (R-Brookville) and Alex Zimmerman (R-North Vernon), seven locally owned farms were honored at the Statehouse.
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.
"As chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, I know how important farming is to Indiana," Leising said. "These farms strengthen Indiana's multimillion dollar agriculture industry and I am grateful they are getting the recognition they deserve."
"These farmers work extremely hard, boosting both our local and state economies," Zimmerman said. "Agriculture has always been a cornerstone of our state, and these Hoosiers have helped to build Indiana into what it is today."
"Recognizing these farms is a way to honor the generations of farmers who’ve worked tirelessly to keep agriculture strong in our state,” Patterson said. “These families have made a lasting impact on our community, and by celebrating their achievements, we can help ensure the legacy of Indiana farming continues for many more years.”
"Our agriculture industry is extremely well known, and these farmers have helped maintain its exceptional reputation," Meltzer said. "These families have shown grit, determination and perseverance, and these awards are much deserved."
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 the ISDA, all family photos will be available online by March 28, 2025.
State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) represents Senate District 42,
which includes Decatur, Fayette, Ripley and Rush counties,
and portions of Franklin, Jennings and Shelby counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Lindsay Patterson (R-Brookville) represents House District 55, which includes
all of Fayette, Franklin and Union counties, and portions of Decatur, Ripley and Rush counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Jennifer Meltzer (R-Shelbyville) represents House District 73,
which includes portions of Bartholomew, Decatur, Jennings and Shelby counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Alex Zimmerman (R-North Vernon) represents House District 67,
which includes portions of Decatur, Jefferson, Jennings and Ripley counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
