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Farm families receive Hoosier Homestead Award during 2025 Indiana State Fair

Ninety-five farm families were honored for their commitment to agriculture with the Hoosier Homestead Award during this year’s Indiana State Fair.

Don Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, says the award recognizes the state’s deep agricultural history.

“Some of these families, especially if it’s been in the family for 150 or 200 years, it’s three, four, five, sometimes even six generations in,” he says. “That really is special and it shows so much more than just the continuity of a family, but how it’s really a part of the community.”

Ellen Matthews tells Brownfield her family started the McGinnis Farm in Morgan County in 1898. 

Matthews and her sister, Mary Gargiulo, own the McGinnis Farm in Morgan County and the Keller Farm in Putnam County. Both homesteads received the Centennial award this year.

“One farm belonged to my father’s family and the other belonged to our mother’s family,” she says. “We felt it was really important to keep them in the family. The same person has farmed them since my father was living.”

Today, the sisters say a long-time family friend operates the farm.

To receive the award, family farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years and be at least 20 acres to qualify for this award.

The Hoosier Homestead Awards include the Centennial Award for 100 years, Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years, or the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership.

AUDIO: Don Lamb, ISDA

AUDIO: Ellen Matthews and Mary Gargiulo