Pictured is Evers Plainview Farms in Wolcottville, Noble County, which was the 2023 winner of the John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation. Photo provided by Indiana Landmarks.

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Farm Bureau are taking nominations for the 2024 John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation. The award recognizes the preservation and continued agricultural use of historic farm buildings in Indiana. Since the award was established in 1992, owners of more than 30 historic farms across the state have been honored.

Anyone, including farm owners, can submit a nomination for the Arnold Award, which will be presented during the Celebration of Agriculture at the Indiana State Fair in August.

The nomination asks for:

• A brief history of the farm and description of its significant historic structures and features, such as the farmhouse, barns, agricultural outbuildings and landscape elements.
• A description of how the farm’s historic agricultural structures are used in day-to-day farming operations, and how they have been preserved or adapted.
• High-resolution digital photographs of the farm and its preserved historic features. Historic images are also welcome.

The award winner receives an outdoor marker and feature coverage in Indiana Preservation magazine.

Indiana Landmarks named the award in memory of John Arnold (1955-1991), a Rush County farmer who successfully combined progressive agricultural practices with a deep respect for the historic and natural features of the rural landscape. The John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation honors those who share a similar commitment to preserving the landmarks and landscape of rural Indiana.

The 2023 winner was Evers Plainview Farms, established in 1854 in Wolcottville in Noble County.

Submit nominations for the Arnold Award at indianalandmarks.org/john-arnold-award-rural-preservation. The deadline for nominations is Monday, April 15.