ALLEN COUNTY FARMS RECEIVE HOOSIER HOMESTEAD AWARDS

Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman and Agriculture Director Andy Miller presented the semi-annual Hoosier Homestead Awards. The awards honored Indiana farms that have been in 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. During the ceremony in October, the state recognized farms as centennial (100 years), sesquicentennial (150 years) or bicentennial (200 years) homesteads.

“Hoosier farmers are part of the fabric of our great state,” said Lt. Governor Skillman, who also serves as Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. “As we focus on leading and expanding agriculture’s future, it is only appropriate that we pause to recognize these families who have continued our rich agricultural heritage.”

The following farms join nearly 5,000 agriculture homesteads recognized in Indiana as Hoosier Homestead farms since the award program’s launch in 1976. Among the spring Hoosier Homestead recipients, 33 farms received centennial awards and 61 received sesquicentennial awards. This fall 44 farms received the award.

The Shirley and Sharon A. (Salway) Johnson family farm, Monroeville joins the Hoosier Homestead farms to be awarded. The original date of origin is 1864-Charles Whittern preceded by Thomas Salway. The farm is currently raising corn, soybeans, and wheat.

Skillman presented a centennial award to the Dalman-Dafforn family farm that has lineage back to 1871 when Thomas Bradbury was owner. This 60-acre farm located on Smith Road currently produces soybeans and wheat. From 1966 to present the farm has been involved in the USDA sponsored conservation preserve program.

Also receiving a plaque from the Lt. Governor was the Hockemeyer Family Farm that was established in 1899.

Another Allen County family recognized at the Hoosier Homestead Award Ceremony at the Statehouse was the Spenn family. Their farm is located on Pleasant Center Road with the original owner being Carl N. Maria Spenn. It originated in 1905 and is currently owned by Harrold Spenn. The Spenn farm produces corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa.

The Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture sponsors the semi-annual award ceremony. For more information about the award program, call the OCA at 317-232-8770, or log onto www.in.gov/oca.