Gilbert Farm Receives Hoosier Homestead Award
The Arthur Gilbert farm, of Kosciusko County, was one of 63 families receiving the Hoosier Homestead Award from Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Ted McKinney recently. The award is in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.
The Gilbert’s farm was recognized as being a centennial farm, founded in 1886. Another family farm: Maple Shade Farms LLC owned by the Donald Ring Family was also recognized. (See: Donald Ring Family Recipient Of Hoosier Homestead Award)
“The Hoosier Homestead Awards provide the opportunity to salute Indiana’s rich agricultural heritage by honoring those Hoosiers whose farms have contributed to Indiana’s economy and local communities for over 100 years,” said Ellspermann. “We are proud to celebrate both the farms and the families that have continued to make Indiana a leader in agriculture.”
“The families celebrated here today remind us of what makes Indiana agriculture great,” McKinney said. “The Hoosier Homestead Award not only celebrates dedicated families working in Indiana agriculture, but also about preserving a way of life that values hard work, integrity and community.”
The 63 families honored join more than 5,000 Hoosier Homestead farms.
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 in agricultural products per year. The award distinctions are centennial, sesquicentennial and bicentennial.
Administered by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, the semiannual Hoosier Homestead ceremonies are held in March during National Agriculture Month at the Indiana statehouse and in August at the Indiana State Fair.