SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Indiana State Department of Agriculture wants to honor Indiana farming families with a prestigious award.

Indiana farming families are encouraged to apply for the upcoming Hoosier Homestead Award.

The purpose of the Hoosier Homestead Award is to recognize Indiana families that have farmed and maintained the land for 100 years or longer.

The program started in 1976 to recognize the contributions that Indiana family farms have made to cultural, social and economic advancements.

5,500 farms have received the award over the course of 40 years.

The awards are as follows:

• Bicentennial Award-200 years of farm ownership
• Sesquicentennial Award-150 years of farm ownership
• Centennial Award-100 years of farm ownership

The deadline for the ceremony in March of 2019 is Dec. 1 while the deadline for the Aug. ceremony is May 1.

Program Manager, Linda Forler may be emailed at [email protected] for more information.

To see a list of previous award recipients as well and additional details, visit Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s website.