The Sands family at the award ceremony.

SILVER LAKE —  Area legislators announced the latest recipients of the Hoosier Homestead award, which recognizes farms that have been owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more. The Carl and Edythe Sands farm, located in Silver Lake, received a Centennial Award.

Represented by State Sen. Randy Head (R-Logansport) and State Reps. William Friend (R-Macy), Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) and David Wolkins (R-Warsaw), 10 locally owned family farms were honored at the Indiana State Fair.

“Hoosier farmers work hard everyday to provide for our families and communities,” Head said. “I am pleased these families received Hoosier Homestead awards, as their dedication to the agriculture industry deserves to be recognized and rewarded. Congratulations!”

“Most Hoosier farms are family owned, and I know it is no easy task keeping a farm running successfully,” Friend said. “Without the help of my family, the day-to-day operations on my hog farm would not be possible. It’s encouraging to see the tradition of family farms continuing generation after generation. Thank you to these families for their dedication and commitment to Indiana’s agriculture.”

“Nearly 98 percent of Indiana’s farms are family owned,” VanNatter said. “Long-lasting family farms like these in our community help sustain Indiana’s agricultural industry, which contributes more than $31 billion to the state economy.”

“Indiana owes a debt of gratitude to its farm families for their long-standing leadership and entrepreneurship, which stands as the foundation of our state’s economy,” Wolkins said. “I wish the family farms continued growth in the future and congratulate them on their accomplishment of more than 100 years of operation.”

Two awards ceremonies are held each year, in spring and summer, to commemorate the achievements of farmers across the state. For more information on the Hoosier Homestead Award Program, visit www.in.gov/isda/2337.htm.