State honors longstanding Dubois County farms with Hoosier Homestead awards

Dubois Co.-  Dubois County farms owned and operated by the same family for at least 100 years were recently honored with Hoosier Homestead awards, according to area legislators.

"Congratulations to these local Hoosiers for their hard work and dedication to agriculture in our state," said State Rep. Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper). "Indiana is fortunate these families continue to pass down their skills and passion from one generation to the next."

Farms owned and maintained by the same family for 100, 150 and 200 years can qualify for centennial, sesquicentennial or bicentennial Hoosier Homestead awards.

"It's so important to highlight family farms, and this program is a great tool to honor these hardworking Hoosiers," said State Rep. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty). "Their accomplishments are essential to Indiana and our agricultural industry."

Located in Dubois County, these farms were presented Hoosier Homestead awards:

  • The Jochem Farm, in operation since 1847, received the sesquicentennial award;
  • The Lange/Wendholt Farm, in operation since 1922, received the centennial award;
  • The Mann Farm, in operation since 1873, received the sesquicentennial award; and
  • The Ring Farm, in operation since 1857, received centennial and sesquicentennial awards.

"Family farms like these have helped our state become an agricultural leader in the country, with agriculture contributing an estimated $35.1 billion to Indiana's economy," said State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper). "Congratulations to these families for their years of dedication to farming and receiving these awards acknowledging all their hard work."

These farm families were among 103 awardees recently recognized at the Indiana State Fair for their commitment to agriculture.

Hoosier Homestead award ceremonies are conducted yearly in the spring and summer to commemorate farm families for their legacies and contributions to Indiana's agriculture industry. Since the program started in 1976, the state has honored more than 6,000 farms with this designation.

For more information on the Hoosier Homestead Award Program and to nominate a farm, visit in.gov/isda. Nominations for the March 2024 ceremony are due by Nov. 1.