Linda Long is proud that her brother Max McCullough and his wife, Mary, received the Hoosier Homestead award in 2019. Why shouldn’t she be? A hundred years is a long time for one family to own a farm. That’s especially true considering that 100 years includes years like 1981, 1983, 2012 and 2019.

The McCullough family of Brazil was one of 96 Hoosier families receiving an award in the Hoosier Homestead program at the 2019 Indiana State Fair in August. More than 5,600 families have received the award since 1976. Today, it’s administered by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, headed by Lt. Gov. and Secretary of Agriculture Suzanne Crouch and ISDA Director Bruce Kettler.

Long, Bloomfield, Ind., contacted Indiana Prairie Farmer, drawing attention to the program. She traced the history of her brother’s farm.

Harvey Scott McCullough purchased the farm in 1905. Theodore Roosevelt was president, a U.S. stamp cost 2 cents, the New York Giants won the World Series, and more than 83 million people lived in the U.S. Frank Hanly was governor of Indiana, and Lew Wallace, author of “Ben Hur,” died that year.

Long notes that after McCullough died, the land was deeded to his son Herman and wife Leora. Today, it’s owned by their son and daughter-in-law Max and Mary.

Proper perspective       

Just how big a deal is a Hoosier Homestead farm? One expert says the average length of time a small business stays in operation in 8.5 years. The Small Business Administration reports that 550,000 small businesses close in the U.S. each year.

Yet 5,600 farms in Indiana display Hoosier Homestead signs. Some were recognized for 150 years, and a select few for being in the same family for 200 years.

Sometimes we’re so close to this business of farming that we can’t see the forest for the trees.

Obviously, other segments of the American economy rarely achieve this kind of track record, especially not in these numbers. The ability to continue an operation for 100 years speaks to the strong will and dedication of Hoosier farm families. It may seem like tough sledding now, but imagine what it seemed like in 1905, 1935, 1943, 1981 and 2012. Hoosier farm families are a tough bunch!

Homestead award

ISDA just doesn’t hand out Hoosier Homestead awards, notes Linda Forler, who manages the program. First, you fill out an application, listing all land transfers affecting the property.

“We ask for documentation for these transfers,” she says. “Usually that’s in the form of a warranty deed, quit claim deed or a will.”

To qualify, the farm must be actively farmed or cash-rented with an annual income of $1,000 or more. Proof is required, Forler says. Family ties holding the farm can include grandparents, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and stepchildren, among others.

Learn more about the Hoosier Homestead program online. The next recognition ceremony will be at the Statehouse in March. To qualify for the 2020 Indiana State Fair Hoosier Homestead ceremony, apply by April 1. The application is online.

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