The Bucher family farm was named a centennial farm and presented the Hoosier Homestead Award at the Indiana State Fair. Pictured from left is Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb, Cindy Harper, Shane Bucher, Wyatt Bucher, Peggy Bucher, Don Bucher, Brandon Bucher, Michelle Bucher, Jacob Bucher and Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. Photo from ISDA Flickr.

By Marissa Sweatland
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The Bucher family farm was recently named a centennial farm and was presented the Hoosier Homestead Award.

To be named a Hoosier Homestead, the farm has to be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years, and consist of 20 acres or more, or produce more than $1,000 in agricultural products per year. Farms who meet the requirements are welcomed to apply for the distinction.

“As long as you apply and meet the requirements, you get the award. It’s not really something you win, as much as something you achieve,” Don Bucher explained, “but I did feel very proud.”

Dependent on the age of the farm, families are eligible for three distinctions of the Hoosier Homestead Award. They can receive the Centennial Award for 100 years, Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years or the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of farm ownership.
The Bucher family have lived and farmed in the area for so long, they live on a street named after them. Jacob Bucher, Don’s grandfather, bought the family farm in 1923.

Don is a third generation farmer and took over the family farm from his father, Wayne, in the 1970s. His son, Brandon, a fourth generation farmer, helps manage and run the family farm. Shane, Don’s other son, is a full-time police officer, helps on the family farm and runs a farm by Waubee Lake.

Don has been in the farming business for a while, and has noticed big changes.

“The yields are probably five times bigger than they used to be. When I started, 70 or 80 bushel per acre for corn was good but now it’s not uncommon to average 275 bushels per acre,” he said.

The Bucher family farm grows corn and soybeans.

He attributes the yield increase to better genetics, technology, and planting techniques.

“Farmers my age look at farmers of the next generation, and it’s just phenomenal what they accomplish,” Bucher explained.

“Everything is more technology-based, it’s hard to keep up with but it’s just incredible. My generation couldn’t even dream of the technology there is today.”