Raatz: Local farms honored with Hoosier Homestead Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 21, 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. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) and State Reps. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond), Lindsay Patterson (R-Brookville) and Cory Criswell (R-Middletown), five locally owned farms were honored at the Indiana State Fair.

• The Davis farm in Wayne County received a Sesquicentennial Award

• The Miller farm in Union County received Centennial and Sesquicentennial awards

• The Orschell farm in Franklin County received a Centennial Award

• The Strattan farm in Henry County received a Sesquicentennial Award

• The Ward farm in Henry 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.

"Farmers are the backbone of Indiana's economy," Raatz said. "These five family farms exemplify our Hoosier work ethic by dedicating their lives to benefiting our state and maintaining our farming legacy. I want to congratulate them on this honor."

"Indiana's family farms reflect generations of deep commitment to caring for our Hoosier land," Barrett said. "The families receiving this recognition have built lasting legacies through their dedication to agriculture, and I congratulate them on this well-deserved honor."

"I am proud to represent a district with such a strong agricultural tradition and to see these families recognized for their contributions," Patterson said. "This award celebrates the dedication and hard work that have helped Indiana's family farms thrive for generations."

"Every generation that chooses to continue a family farm helps preserve a way of life that has shaped Indiana for decades," Criswell said. "These families have shown an incredible commitment to their land and to Indiana agriculture, and they should be proud of this well-earned recognition."

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. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) represents Senate District 27, which includes
Henry, Union and Wayne counties, and portions of Franklin County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond) represents House District 56,
which includes Wayne County and portions of Henry County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Rep. Cory Criswell (R-Middletown) represents House District 54,
which includes portions of Hancock, Henry, Rush and Shelby counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo

State Rep. Lindsay Patterson (R-Brookville) represents House District 55, which includes
all of Fayette, Franklin and Union counties, and portions of Decatur, Ripley and Rush counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

Contact: Elijah Roberson, Press Secretary
Elijah.Roberson@iga.in.gov
317-232-9498

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