95 Farm Families Honored with Hoosier Homestead Award from ISDA

Recognized for their families’ farm legacies and longstanding commitment to agriculture, 95 Indiana families were presented the Hoosier Homestead Award at the Indiana State Fair on Wednesday from Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and Don Lamb, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA).

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.

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.

During the ceremonies, eight Indiana farms received the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of continuous ownership:

• The Spillman family from Decatur County
• The Michael B. McConnell family from Gibson County
• The Chastain family from Montgomery County
• The Runyan family from Montgomery County
• The Robert M. Stwalley Jr. family from Montgomery County
• The Dobson family from Putnam County
• The Meal family from Rush County
• The Dennis and Sue Briggs family from Switzerland County.

“Indiana’s economy and heritage is built upon agriculture,” said Lt. Gov. Beckwith, who also serves as Indiana Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “It is an honor to be able to recognize these farming family and celebrate their enduring legacy.”

“I am continually inspired by the long-established farming families that are recognized during the Hoosier Homestead ceremonies,” said Don Lamb, Director of the Indiana State Department of Ag. “I personally know the amount of commitment and dedication needed to keep a farm in the family for 100 years or more. I thank each one for their devotion to the agriculture industry and their loyalty to the state of Indiana.”

Below is a list of all of the Hoosier Homestead Award recipients honored during the summer 2025 ceremony:

For more information about the Hoosier Homestead Award program, please visit isda.in.gov.

CLICK HERE to see the photos taken during the Hoosier Homestead Award-Summer 2025 ceremony at the Indiana State Fair.

Source: Indiana Department of Agriculture.