Major milestones
Seven Bartholomew County family farms were recently recognized by the state for their longtime commitments to the community.
The farms were honored with the Hoosier Homestead Award this month, with two of the farms receiving the Sesquicentennial Award. Each award represents a farm family that has kept the same homestead for a minimum of 100 consecutive years, with the Sesquicentennial Awards going to those who have kept their farm in the family for more than 150 years.
To be named a Hoosier Homestead, the farm must be kept in the same family for at least 100 consecutive years and consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1,000 in agricultural products per year.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
The Whipker, Cline, Fiesbeck, Harris, and Ott/Shafer farms all reached 100 years in 2020 while the Kerkhof and Engelau/Schepman/Meier farms hit the 150-year mark.
It’s an incredible feat to reach those anniversaries, as the farms are helping keep a rich tradition of agriculture in Bartholomew County alive and well.
