Dubois County farms honored with Hoosier Homestead Award

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. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper) and State Rep. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty), three locally owned farms were honored at the Statehouse. 

• The Bartelt-Klosterman farms received two Centennial awards and a Sesquicentennial Award
• The Neuhoff Family farm received a Centennial Award
• The Vogler farm 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.  

"As a fifth-generation farmer, I am proud to honor family farms like these that continue to uphold agricultural traditions vital to both the heritage and future of Indiana's success," Schmitt said. "I want to recognize all Hoosier Homestead recipients as key figures of their community, essential to the growth of this great state."

"Congratulations to these Hoosier farm families for this remarkable achievement," Bartels said. "I admire our farmers for their resilience and hard work in feeding our communities and strengthening our economy."

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.