To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years, and consist of 20 acres or more in size or produce more than $1,000 in agricultural products per year.

“I want to congratulate all of the recipients of this prestigious award,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Our state, economically and socially, depends on our farming families, and we owe a great deal to the work they do.”

Families are eligible for three different distinctions of the Hoosier Homestead Award, based on age of the farm. They are Centennial (100 years), Sesquicentennial (150 years) and Bicentennial (200 years).

Since the program's inception in 1976, more than 5,500 families have received the award.

“Keeping any business in operation for more than 100 years is no small accomplishment, let alone in the same family,” Kettler said. “There is something special about generational farming in Indiana, and it was an honor to recognize these families—their legacy—at the great Indiana State Fair.”

The following list includes the 2018 summer Hoosier Homestead Award recipients:

Adams

Kruetzman

1891

Centennial

Allen

Bradtmueller

1902

Centennial

Allen

Yoder

1918

Centennial

Bartholomew

O'Neal

1918

Centennial

Bartholomew

Burbrink - Schroer

1910

Centennial

Bartholomew

Arnholt - Smith

1890

Centennial

Bartholomew

Reinking - Smith

1856

Sesquicentennial

Brown

Roark Brown County Family Farm

1910

Centennial

Cass

Cynthia Lynn (Smith) Beckom & Amanda Lynn Beckom

1844

Sesquicentennial

Cass

Green

1918

Centennial

Cass

Robert & Mary Apple Kitchel

1917

Centennial

Cass

McIntosh - McMillen

1868

Sesquicentennial

Clark

James A. Kruer

1893

Centennial

Clay

Groover

1867

Sesquicentennial

Clay

Schlegel

1886

Centennial

Clinton

Need Family Farms

1916

Centennial

Crawford

Perry Crecelius

1918

Centennial

Crawford

Crecelius

1918

Centennial

Daviess

Hunter - Nolan

1818

Bicentennial

Dearborn

Hartman

1918

Centennial

Decatur

Fry

1887

Centennial

Decatur

Jonathan C. & Sara A. Galbraith

1848

Sesquicentennial

DeKalb

Bowman & Bowman Farms, Inc.

1873

Centennial

DeKalb

Morr

1900

Centennial

DeKalb

Hines

1836

Sesquicentennial

DeKalb

Nelson Family LLC

1868

Sesquicentennial

Dubois

Victor A. Beckman

1849

Centennial & Sesquicentennial

Dubois

Joshua J. Himsel

1887

Centennial

Dubois

Weisman

1866

Sesquicentennial

Franklin

Burk

1918

Centennial

Franklin

Obermeyer

1891

Centennial

Franklin

Siefert

1869

Centennial

Franklin

Stenger

1901

Centennial

Fulton

Kline - Wagoner

1876

Centennial

Hamilton

Flanders/Sheller Farms

1865

Sesquicentennial

Hamilton

Joseph Wheeler

1851

Centennial & Sesquicentennial

Hamilton

Haughey

1882

Centennial

Hancock

Garst

1918

Centennial

Harrison

Chuck & Sandy Hess

1854

Centennial & Sesquicentennial

Harrison

Deatrick/Lind

1915

Centennial

Henry

Kautz - Query

1918

Centennial

Howard

Eller

1905

Centennial

Howard

Fisher

1847

Sesquicentennial

Howard

E. Wesley Smith

1848

Centennial & Sesquicentennial

Howard

Tarkington

1918

Centennial

Jackson

M & M Wischmeier

1915

Centennial

Jasper

Putt

1902

Centennial

Jasper

Guth/Waibel

1899

Centennial

Jennings

Graham

1815

Bicentennial

Jennings

Horstman

1878

Centennial

Johnson

William O. Canary

1898

Centennial

Kosciusko

Whetstone

1842

Centennial & Sesquicentennial

LaGrange

Robert Thompson

1885

Centennial

LaPorte

Hickory Grove Farm/Mohlke Family

1918

Centennial

LaPorte

Thomas

1918

Centennial

Lawrence

Robert G. Stipp

1849

Sesquicentennial

Madison

Ashton

1864

Sesquicentennial

Madison

James Steven Doty

1868

Sesquicentennial

Madison

Jarrell

1917

Centennial

Madison

Marshall & Margaret Gwinn Farm

1917

Centennial

Madison

Sandra S. Swindell -- W.H.S. Farm

1908

Centennial

Marshall

Gottschalk

1858

Centennial & Sesquicentennial

Marshall

Sahlhoff

1887

Centennial

Martin

Billings

1918

Centennial

Montgomery

Moser Farm

1917

Centennial

Noble

Frank E. & Evelyn J. Evers

1854

Sesquicentennial

Noble

The Scheurich

1866

Centennial & Sesquicentennial

Ohio

Dennis

1868

Sesquicentennial

Ohio

Sommer

1918

Centennial

Orange

David & Jessica Watts

1860

Centennial & Sesquicentennial

Pulaski

Jarman

1901

Centennial

Randolph

Jordan

1834

Sesquicentennial

Ripley

Kegley

1865

Sesquicentennial

Ripley

Brunsman - Moster

1905

Centennial

Rush

Gray

1863

Sesquicentennial

Shelby

Weintraut

1891

Centennial

Spencer

Seger

1915

Centennial

Sullivan

Davis

1918

Centennial

Tipton

Achenbach

1918

Centennial

Union

Hawley - Brookbank

1865

Centennial & Sesquicentennial

Wayne

Alexander

1897

Centennial

Wayne

Martin

1909

Centennial

Wells

Minnich

1872

Centennial

Wells

Powell

1916

Centennial

Wells

David Werling

1916

Centennial

White

Lemming

1894

Centennial

White

Humphreys

1883

Centennial

White

Sheets

1918

Centennial

 

Families are recognized semiannually — at the Indiana Statehouse in the spring and at the Indiana State Fair in the fall.

For more information about the Hoosier Homestead Award program, please visit www.isda.in.gov. Photos from Friday's ceremony will be posted to ISDA's Flickr page by Wednesday, Aug. 15.

 

ABOUT ISDA

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) was established as a separate state agency by the Legislature in 2005. Administratively, ISDA reports to Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Major responsibilities include advocacy for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level, managing soil conservation programs, promoting economic development and agricultural innovation, serving as a regulatory ombudsman for agricultural businesses, and licensing grain firms throughout the state.

  
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Local News Briefs

Indiana Election Division to perform voter list maintenance

In the absence of an election in 2025, the Indiana Election Division will perform routine voter list maintenance in an effort to maintain accurate voter rolls, reports Pulaski County Clerk JoLynn Behny.

 Beginning mid-May, registered voters with an “active” voter status will receive the first in a series of two postcards to verify the registered voter’s correct address. If the information on the post card is correct, the registered voter does not need to take any action.

I-65 to have overnight lane closures near State Road 14

 JASPER COUNTY - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth-Riley Construction will have overnight lane closures on I-65 from mile marker 217 to 223 (between SR 10 and SR 114) beginning on or after Monday, May 12.

I-65 will be reduced to one lane in the area where work is occurring during the overnight hours of approximately 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Work will be ongoing through mid-October.

Spring property taxes due Monday, May 12

Pulaski County taxpayers are reminded by the Pulaski County Treasurer's Office that the spring installment of property taxes are due Monday, May 12.

The taxes may be paid at the County Building (Rm. 307) or County Highway Garage in Winamac, or at several banks around the county.

PMH seeks community input identifying health needs of local communities

Survey deadline May 17

WINAMAC - Pulaski Memorial Hospital has announced the launch of its 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, a comprehensive initiative aimed at identifying and addressing the most pressing health needs of our local communities.

“Community feedback is essential” said Hospital CEO Steve Jarosinski. ”PMH will be gathering input from residents, local organizations, community leaders, and even other area healthcare professionals to better understand the health challenges and opportunities across the region.”

PCPL lists activities, programs for May

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for May. They include restorative yoga classes, adult canvas painting, and the opening celebration of the Story Trail at the park.

For more information on any program, call the library at 574-946-3432 or visit the library’s website at www.pulaskicounty.lib.in.us. 

  

Indiana News

61 Pulaski County students earn Ivy Tech degrees, certificates

KOKOMO (May 9) - Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo Service Area, which includes campuses and instructional sites in Kokomo, Loganspor and Peru, celebrated the Class of 2025 with three commencement ceremonies Friday, May 9.

The events, divided by schools, honored 1,128 students who are expected to have completed work on 1,432 degrees and certificates by the end of the Fall 2024 and Spring and Summer 2025 terms.

Gov. Braun signs HB1144

INDIANAPOLIS (May 6) – Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has signed HB1144 which will make some adjustments in the state’s court systems.

Pulaski Superior Court and seven other rural courts have been spared from closure, following revisions made late last month to the proposed bill approved by both the state house and senate April 24 in the Indiana General Assembly.

Northwest Indiana Forum hosts legislative wrap-up

CHESTERTON (May 2) – The Northwest Indiana Forum welcomed over 90 members for its annual Legislative Wrap-Up event Friday featuring bipartisan legislators from Northwest Indiana.

An engaging and informative panel discussion with the six key state lawmakers reflected on the 2025 Indiana General Assembly session and its impact on the region.

Pulaski County March unemployment rate drops to 3.1%

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dropped to 3.1 percent in March, down from 4.3 percent in February, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (April 21). The rate was 3.7 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,586 employed persons in a labor force of 6,795 in March. In February those numbers were 6,533 of 6,830. A year ago the numbers were 6,302 of 6.546.

 

Indiana Health News

Measles outbreak in 29 states continues to be of concern

The U.S Center for Disease Control continues to monitor the growing outbreak of measles in the U.S. which is approaching 1,000 cases in 29 states.

Eight cases have were reported in the Indiana last month, all in Allen County. No additional cases have been reported in the state since that time.

  

Post News

PCELN works to build infrastructure for quality childcare in Pulaski County

Pulaski County Early Learning Network (PCELN) is working to ensure families in Pulaski County have access to affordable, quality childcare.

The network notes that many different groups in the county community must come together to address this critical need. Access to high-quality early childhood education means that children are more likely to build a foundation for success in school and life.

West Central School Board honored by Indiana School Boards Association

FRANCESVILLE - The West Central School Corporation School Board has been recognized by the Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) with an Exemplary Governance Award (EGA) for calendar year 2024 for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to student success and professional learning.

Only 124 school boards in the State of Indiana earned awards through the EGA program this year.

Economic Summit addresses county's financial health, state budget

'Making a place where we choose to live'
With a major restoration of the county courthouse nearing completion and a host of additional business and community projects under development, the mood was upbeat at the annual Pulaski County Economic Development Summit Tuesday (April 29). The event is hosted by the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.

CDC executive director Nathan Origer gave updates on projects and county economics, while keynote speaker Stephanie Wells, president of the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute, reviewed legislation from this year's session of the Indiana General Assembly.

BraunAbility to expand Winamac facilities with new product line

WINAMAC - BraunAbility has announced a $3.8 million investment in its Winamac operations to support production of the new BraunAbility Ram ProMaster.

This funding will cover land acquisition, land work, fencing, drainage and building improvements. Construction, utilizing local contractors, will continue through Spring 2026.

Marlatt, Vanderkleed join IBA 40-Year Club

FRANCESVILLE - Alliance Bank has recently recognized Kimberly Marlatt and Lori Vanderkleed with membership into the 40-Year Club of the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA).

The club recognizes banking professionals who have completed 40 years or more of service to the Indiana banking community. Inductees are given IBA keepsakes and letters of congratulations.