Podell Award - With ISDA Director Bruce Kettler, State Rep. Doug Gutwein and Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch.
 
 Meyer Award - With ISDA Director Bruce Kettler, State Rep. Doug Gutwein and Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch.

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, or produce more than $1,000 in agricultural products per year.

"For the same family to operate a farm for over 100 years is an incredible accomplishment," said State Rep. Doug Gutwein who joined Crouch and Kettler in presenting the awards to the Podell and Meyer families. "Farmers work hard to make a living and provide for others, and it's not easy. Congratulations to these award recipients, and I wish them all continued success for years to come."

"The agriculture industry plays an essential role in Indiana's economy, and families like these exemplify what it means to maintain successful and productive farms in Indiana," added State Sen. Ed Charbonneau. "I would like to congratulate the Podell and Meyer families for keeping the tradition of farming going for more than a century."

These farming families were among 73 recognized at the Indiana State Fair for their commitment to Indiana agriculture.

“Agriculture has always been and continues to be a vital and thriving industry in our state,” Crouch said. “I always look forward to honoring these Hoosier Homestead Award recipients on their families’ commitment to their farm, community and heritage.”

Families are eligible for three different distinctions of the Hoosier Homestead Award, based on the age of the farm. They can receive the Centennial Award for 100 years, Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years or Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership.

Since the program's inception in 1976, nearly 6,000 families have received the award. Often, a Hoosier Homestead farm is easily recognized because most recipients proudly display their awarded sign on their property.

“Each of these Hoosier Homestead farms have such a unique and important story behind them,” Kettler said. “Managing and operating a farm is no simple task, and I commend each of the families that receive this award for their dedication and devotion to agriculture.”

The following list includes the August 2021 Hoosier Homestead Award recipients.

County

Name

Homestead Date

Award

Adams

Kiefer

1882

Centennial

Allen

Scherrer

1900

Centennial

Bartholomew

Anthers

1871

Sesquicentennial

Bartholomew

O'Neal -- Dickey 

1919

Centennial

Benton

English

1871

Centennial and Sesquicentennial

Benton

Hasser

1916

Centennial

Brown

Parsley

1920

Centennial

Carroll

Been

1910

Centennial

Carroll

Duff

1921

Centennial

Carroll

Penn

1867

Centennial and Sesquicentennial

Clark

Johnson

1921

Centennial

Clay

Edward & Anna Spaeth

1921

Centennial

Clay

Harvey Fell

1918

Centennial

Daviess

Bean

1907

Centennial

Decatur

Carroll

1871

Sesquicentennial

DeKalb

George E. Baker 

1918

Centennial

DeKalb

Rosenbury

1906

Centennial

DeKalb

Tustison/Hook

1845

Sesquicentennial

Dubois

Hoppenjans

1921

Centennial

Dubois

Lawrence Gutgsell 

1910

Centennial

Fayette

Winfield Schockey/David Dean

1921

Centennial

Franklin

Brier

1906

Centennial

Franklin

Knecht

1846

Centennial and Sesquicentennial

Franklin

McNally

1918

Centennial

Franklin

Schuck/Knecht

1879

Centennial

Franklin

Schuck/Knecht

1902

Centennial

Gibson

Hardiman/Lyles/Nolcox/Solomon

1915

Centennial

Hamilton

Ringer 

1894

Centennial

Harrison

Leffler

1874

Centennial

Harrison

Reinhardt

1871

Sesquicentennial

Hendricks

Dillon

1917

Centennial

Howard

Jean Gesse -- Kingseed Farm

1848

Centennial and Sesquicentennial

Howard

Davis

1920

Centennial

Howard

Breisch

1848

Centennial and Sesquicentennial

Howard

Kingseed

1903

Centennial

Howard

Kingseed

1919

Centennial

Huntington

Brubaker

1899

Centennial

Jackson

Anthony - Browning - Robbins

1919

Centennial

Jackson

Garriott - Robbins

1914

Centennial

Jackson

George Parke Vehslage

1862

Centennial and Sesquicentennial

Jackson

Pfaffenberger

1853

Centennial and Sesquicentennial

Jasper

Smith

1871

Sesquicentennial

Jay

Bell

1885

Centennial

Jennings

Anthers/Blair

1821

Bicentennial

Jennings

Biehle

1906

Centennial

Jennings

Biehle

1906

Centennial

LaPorte

Shebel

1920

Centennial

LaPorte

Steve and Joann Jensen

1871

Sesquicentennial

Lawrence

Fountain

1920

Centennial

Martin

Sherfick

1920

Centennial

Miami

Clendenning/Fouts/See

1841

Sesquicentennial

Miami

Crockett

1865

Centennial and Sesquicentennial

Morgan

Charles J. Kirk

1906

Centennial

Morgan

Oliver, August, & Alice Dilley

1902

Centennial

Morgan

Rawlins

1917

Centennial

Noble

Raymond & Karen Parker

1917

Centennial

Parke

Lennie C. Pyle

1920

Centennial

Pulaski

Theodore & Lowell Podell

1900

Centennial

Pulaski

William Meyer

1899

Centennial

Putnam

Jeffries

1885

Centennial

Randolph

Fogle

1919

Centennial

Randolph

Harry & Florence Smith

1920

Centennial

Shelby

Clark - Rehme

1866

Sesquicentennial

Shelby

Harrod

1899

Centennial

St. Joseph

Beehler

1860

Sesquicentennial

Union

Brattain

1871

Sesquicentennial

Vanderburgh

Henry Schlensker

1870

Sesquicentennial

Vanderburgh

Niederhaus/Karch

1839

Sesquicentennial

Vigo

Tryon

1844

Centennial and Sesquicentennial

Wabash

Chamberlain

1920

Centennial

Wells

Steiner

1863

Centennial and Sesquicentennial

White

Johnson - Barnhart

1916

Centennial

White

Milton & Emma Marshall

1917

Centennial

 

  
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Local News Briefs

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.

Yakym district staff to hold local mobile office hours May 7 in Medaryville

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) has announced that his staff will hold mobile office hours in Pulaski County May 7, in Medaryville.

Yakym’s mobile office will visit throughout Indiana's Second District in May to assist constituents with casework questions.

Stop signs to be added to two county intersections

The Pulaski County Highway Department will add stop signs Monday (April 28) to two county road intersections – one in southeast Rich Grove Township, and the second in northwest Monroe Township.

The new stop signs were approved April 14 in an ordinance adopted by the county commissioners.

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 programs, activities for April

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for April. They include a celebration of National Library Week, a kids’ caring for the environment program, a Ladybug Welcome Sign craft, and an Earth Day craft.

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

Indiana State Parks offer free admission May 4 for ‘Welcome Weekend’

INDIANAPOLIS - Celebrate the start of the outdoor recreation season with free admission to all Indiana State Parks properties Sunday, May 4, the second day of “Welcome Weekend” and the opening day of Visit Indiana Week.

Find an Indiana State Parks property and what’s new there at on.IN.gov/stateparks. If you’ve never visited, on.IN.gov/dnr-welcome offers helpful tips. 

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. 

2025 Indiana General Assembly: Bill Watch

Members of the Indiana General Assembly are working through proposed legislation on such topics such as education, health care, housing, property tax reform, responsible management of water resources, and much more. Gov. Mike Braun has now begun the process of signing passed legislation into law.

The 2025 legislative session runs January through April 29. This is a “long session” during which legislators will craft a two-year state budget. The status of bills under consideration, in both the House and Senate, may be viewed here: IGA | Bills for 2025 Session.  

 

Indiana Health News

Measles cases climb to 800 nationwide; 8 in Indiana

Also: respiratory illness updates

INDIANAPOLIS (April 21) — The Indiana Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of measles and working with local health officials to help stop the spread of infection. The current reported cases are connected to each other but at this time there are no known links to outbreaks in other states.

Eight cases have been reported in the Indiana, all in Allen County.

  

Post News

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.

Chamber presents Don, Lynn Darda with 2025 Halleck Award

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce presented the 2025 Halleck Community Service Award to Don and Lynn Darda of Winamac at its annual award banquet Thursday evening (April 24), at the Winamac VFW.

The Dardas are both retired teachers in the Winamac schools and have been enthusiastic volunteers in a variety of projects throughout the years. 

Pulaski Superior Court appears saved

INDIANAPOLIS (April 24) – Pulaski Superior Court and seven other rural courts have been spared from closure, following revisions made to HB1144 approved by both the state house and senate Thursday evening in the Indiana General Assembly.

The legislation is now pending the approval of Gov. Mike Braun.

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.

Community Foundation awards $15,000 in grants

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC) has announced $15,000 has been awarded in grants to local nonprofits and community organizations.

The following projects and organizations have received funding:

  • $5,000 to Pulaski County Historical Society – “We’re Moving!”
  • $10,000 to Pulaski Memorial Hospital – for a Community Health Worker