Farms in Wayne, Henry and Randolph counties recently received recognition for being owned by the same family for at least 100 years.
The Smith farm in Wayne County, Kellam Mercer farm in Henry County and Georgi farm in Randolph County were presented Centennial awards through Indiana Department of Agriculture’s Hoosier Homestead Award Program.
The program presents the centennial awards as well as sesquicentennial awards for 150 years of ownership and bicentennial for 200 years of ownership. Randolph County’s Fisher farm received sesquicentennial recognition.
Eligible farms must consist of 20 acres or more and produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year.
Hoosier Homestead farms are often easily recognized since many recipients display their awarded sign on their property.
Eastern Indiana farms are frequently on the state’s recognition list.
In 2024, Wayne County’s F. Park Ammerman farm received centennial recognition; the Kirklin farm from Henry County earned sesquicentennial recognition; and Fayette County’s Thornburg-Caldwell-Slack farm received a bicentennial award.
In 2023, Wayne County’s Myers and Kinsinger farms, Randolph County’s Edwards farm, Henry County’s Reddington farm and Fayette County’s Vaughn farm received centennial recognition. Henry County’s Hernly farm collected sesquicentennial honors.
Wayne County’s F. Park Ammerman farm receives a Centennial award. 
Wayne County’s Kinsinger farm receives a Centennial award. Supplied 
Wayne County’s Myers farm receives a Centennial award. Supplied 
Family members involved with the Kellam Mercer farm in Henry County receive a Centennial award from the Hoosier Homestead Award Program. Supplied 
Family members involved with the Smith farm in Wayne County receive a Centennial award from the Hoosier Homestead Award Program. Supplied
A version of this article appeared in the April 2 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.