At the Indiana Statehouse Friday, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Don Lamb presented 56 farming families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.
“Agriculture has always served as the foundation of Indiana’s economy and way of life,” said Lt. Gov. Beckwith, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “It was a privilege to celebrate these longstanding farming families for their enduring legacies during today’s ceremony.”
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. If less than 20 acres, the farm must produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year. Indiana farms may qualify for three honors: Centennial Award for 100 years of ownership, Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years of ownership and the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership.
Represented by State Sen. Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville) and State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville), the Henry G. Wallis farms in Vanderburgh County received Centennial and Sesquicentennial 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.
“Farmers are the backbone of Indiana’s economic success,” Becker said. “The Henry G. Wallis farms have worked tirelessly for generations to become a long-lasting and respected part of our agricultural community, and I am proud to celebrate all the work they do for our great state.”
“Agriculture is more than just a business, it’s a tradition and a way of life. Our Hoosier farmers are a national treasure,” O’Brien said. “Families who have farmed for generations embody the very best of Indiana, and I’m honored to recognize their contributions.”
Since the program’s inception in 1976, over 6,200 families have received the Hoosier Homestead Award. Often, a Hoosier Homestead farm is easily recognized because most recipients proudly display their awarded sign on their property.
“Each year I look forward to honoring these long-standing farming families during the Hoosier Homestead ceremonies,” said Lamb. “I know firsthand the amount of hard work, and grit required to ensure a family remains in the same family for 100 years or more. I commend each of this year’s awardees and thank them for their dedication to Indiana and our agriculture industry.”
During the ceremonies, two Indiana farms received the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of continuous ownership: the Hamilton Batterton family and the McCoy family, both from Decatur County.
Below is a list of the Hoosier Homestead Award recipients honored during the spring 2025 ceremony:
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