Niemeyer: Local farms honored with Hoosier Homestead Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 20, 2026) – 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. Rick Niemeyer (R-Lowell) and State Reps. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) and Mike Aylesworth (R-Hebron), three locally owned farms were honored at the Indiana State Fair.

The Bridgeman farm in Newton County received a Sesquicentennial Award
The Kennedy-Huff farm in Jasper County received a Centennial Award
The Rosenthal farm in Lake County received a Sesquicentennial 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.

"Indiana has a rich agricultural history with farmers who are dedicated to keeping the heritage alive for generations to come, "Niemeyer said. "I'm grateful to our local farmers who display that commitment and congratulate them on this impressive milestone."

"Congratulations to these generational farmers, dedicated to preserving one of Indiana's largest industries," Culp said. "As a farmer myself, it is inspiring to see so many families stepping up and remaining in agriculture."

"Farming is a core economic pillar in Indiana and has been since the state's founding," said Aylesworth, who serves as chair of the House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. "Without these hard-working families, we would have far less access to wholesome food and farms that help sustain our communities."

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 families who attended the event can be found here.

State Sen. Rick Niemeyer (R-Lowell) represents Senate District 6,
which includes Benton and Newton counties, and portions of Lake and Jasper counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) represents House District 16,
which includes portions of Jasper, Pulaski, Starke and White counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) represents House District 11,
which includes portions of Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

Contact: Karlee Monday, Press Secretary
Karlee.Monday@iga.in.gov
317-232-7184

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