Local farms honored with Hoosier Homestead Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEHOUSE (Aug. 20, 2026) – Area legislators are recognizing the latest local recipients of the Hoosier Homestead Award, which recognizes farms owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more.
Represented by State Sen. Greg Walker (R-Columbus) and State Reps. Robb Greene (R-Shelbyville) and Jennifer Meltzer (R-Shelbyville), six locally owned farms were honored at the Indiana State Fair.
- The Andrew Whiteside farm in Bartholomew County received a Centennial Award
- The Beaman farm in Johnson County received a Centennial Award
- The Finkel farm in Bartholomew County (established in 1922) received a Centennial Award
- The Finkel farm in Bartholomew County (established in 1880) received a Centennial Award
- The Jim Whiteside farm in Bartholomew County received Centennial and Sesquicentennial Awards
- The Johnson farm in Johnson County received a Centennial Award
The Hoosier Homestead Award Program honors families who have made significant contributions to Indiana agriculture. Instituted in 1976, the program has recognized more than 6,000 family farms that have impacted Indiana's economic, cultural and social advancement.
"It is great to see so many farming families handing down their expertise to the next generation," Walker said. "Their dedication to the farming legacy keeps Indiana at the forefront of agricultural economic success. Thank you to all of these local families for their hard work, I am proud to see them earn this recognition."
"We owe so much of our state's success to farmers, whose hard work has preserved a vital part of Indiana's history and culture for years and years," Greene said. "These Hoosiers are the cream of the crop, and we need to continue supporting them and their efforts at both the state and local level."
"These families have withstood the test of time, continuing these longstanding farming practices for one hundred or more years," Meltzer said. "This is a monumental achievement that should inspire us, showing what dedication and perseverance can build."
To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years and consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year. The award distinctions are centennial, sesquicentennial and bicentennial – for 100, 150 and 200 years, respectively.
To learn more about the program or to apply for a Hoosier Homestead Award, visit www.in.gov/isda.
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ATTENTION MEDIA: Photos of the families who attended the event can be found here.
State Sen. Greg Walker (R-Columbus) represents Senate District 41,
which includes portions of Bartholomew and Johnson counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Robb Greene (R-Shelbyville) represents House District 47,
which includes portions of Johnson and Shelby counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Jennifer Meltzer (R-Shelbyville) represents House District 73,
which includes portions of Bartholomew, Decatur, Jennings and Shelby counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
Contact: Kristen Gorski, Press Secretary
Kristen.Gorski@iga.in.gov
317-232-9539
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