Three Kosciusko County farms were among 55 honored Wednesday in Indianapolis with Hoosier Homestead Awards in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.

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 recognized are Centennial, Sesquicentennial and Bicentennial. Yesterday’s ceremony had two families receiving the Bicentennial Award.

Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Ted McKinney presented the awards to Kosciusko County’s Kerry Goshert for an 1878 Centennial farm; Vandermark, Summy and Rose for an 1864 Sesquicentennial farm; and the Norris family for their 1902 Centennial farm.

“This program was established in 1976 to recognize the heritage of farming in Indiana and how Hoosier family farms have been passed down from generation to generation,” Lt. Governor Ellspermann said. “I salute our Hoosier farmers today for being part of both our state’s legacy – but more importantly, a vital part of our state’s future,”

“The families celebrated here today remind us of what makes Indiana agriculture great,” McKinney said during the ceremony. “Agriculture is not solely about producing food, fiber and fuel for a growing population. It is also about preserving a way of life that values hard-work, integrity and community. The Hoosier Homestead Award Program celebrates just that and ISDA is proud to oversee this awards program.”

The 55 families honored Wednesday join more than 5,000 Hoosier Homestead farms. Administered by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, semiannual recognition ceremonies are held in March during National Agriculture Month at the Indiana Statehouse and in August at the Indiana State Fair.

For a complete list of farms honored, click HERE.