INDIANAPOLIS – On March 6 at the Indiana Statehouse, Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann and Indiana Department of Agriculture Director Ted McKinney presented 63 families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture. The award distinctions are Centennial, Sesquicentennial and Bicentennial. The Donald Ring Family of Kosciusko County received an Centennial award, according to a press release from the Kosciusko County Historical Society. The Ring’s Maple Shade Farms LLC was founded in 1911. Arthur Gilbert, also of Kosciusko County, received a Centennial award. His homestead was founded in 1886, according to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture website. 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 in agricultural products each year. Ellspermann is quoted in the press release as saying, “We are proud to celebrate both the farms and the families that have continued to make Indiana a leader in agriculture.” McKinney said, “We are celebrating preserving a way of life that values hard-work, integrity and community.” These 63 families join over 5,000 Hoosier Homestead farms. Kosciusko County Historical Society was glad to assist the Donald Ring Family with necessary research and procedure for receipt of the awarded, the Society’s press release states. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture has more information on the awards at www.in.gov/isda/
