A Hoosier farm family will host each day of the 2017 Indiana State Fair. This is the third year in a row that Dow Agro-Sciences has sponsored the program.

Kenda Resler-Friend of Dow Agro-Sciences helps put the program together. “We are happy to honor these farm families, and proud that they can represent agriculture at the fair,” she says.

There is a new twist this year. The state fair’s theme is “The Wonderful World of Food.” A food item will also be highlighted each day. Typically, the featured farm family grows that food item or some of its ingredients.

The Indiana State Fair runs Aug. 4-20 in Indianapolis. Watch the website in the coming days to meet the families that will be honored. Here is a brief rundown of the first five daily hosts.

Day 1
Aug. 4: Craig and Elaine Gillis, Dunkirk
Soybeans/deep-fried foods

“We are third-generation family farmers, and we raise all corn and soybeans,” Elaine Gillis says. She is a director on the board of the Indiana Soybean Alliance.

“Our tie to the food of the day? We believe it’s a clean oil which produces a crisper texture of food when used for frying,” she says.

SOYBEAN GROWERS: Craig and Elaine Gillis and their son, Adam, raise corn and soybeans near Dunkirk. They will host opening day of the Indiana State Fair. (Photo courtesy of Elaine Gillis)

Day 2
Aug. 5: Michael Horrall and family, Oaktown
Melons

You may have seen their farm stand if you’ve traveled U.S. Route 41 north of Vincennes. The family raises cantaloupes and watermelons, but also a lot more.

“We raise asparagus, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, a little sweet corn and other things,” Michael Horrall says. “We sell a lot wholesale, but we have retail sales here too.”

Today, they also produce vegetables in high-tunnel structures. “Food safety is a much bigger part of the business today than in the past,” he adds.

KING MELON: Melons rule on the second day of the Indiana State Fair. They’re also a big deal for Michael Horrall and family, Oaktown. From left are Jake, Mike and Vicki Horrall, Autumn Freeman with her daughter, and Whitney Nickless. (Photo courtesy of Dow AgroSciences)

Day 3
Aug. 6: Brian Scott and family, Monticello
Popcorn

It’s no accident that Brian Scott and his family were selected to be the host family on the day when popcorn is the featured food at the state fair. The Scotts raise a fair amount of popcorn each year.

The family also raises waxy corn, another specialty crop. Their farm was the first stop on the Indiana Farm Management Tour this summer.

POPCORN PRODUCERS: Brian Scott and his family raise popcorn, the featured state fair food on Aug. 6. From left are Nicole and Brian Scott, Jamie Campbell, Matthew Scott, Melanie Campbell, Brian’s grandpa, Robert Scott, and Brian’s dad, John Scott. (Photo by Tom J. Bechman)

Day 4
Aug. 7: Chris and Lisa Eck and family, Boggstown
Tomatoes

The Ecks grow tomatoes for Red Gold, an Indiana-based company. “Some of them are typically under irrigation, and some aren’t,” Lisa Eck explains. “We work them in rotation with our other crops.”

The Ecks also raise seed corn and other typical commercial crops for the area, including wheat.

“Our tomatoes are doing OK so far this year,” Lisa says. “It’s certainly better than in the drought year of 2012.”

TOMATO FARMERS: Chris Eck (back row, red shirt) and his wife, Lisa, (center, in front of Chris) and family members raise tomatoes for Red Gold. They will host the state fair on Aug. 7. (Photo courtesy of Dow AgroSciences)

Day 5
Aug. 8: Bob and Sally Krouse, Mentone
Eggs

As you might guess, the Krouse family raises poultry. In fact, they specialize in egg production in their business, called Midwest Poultry. “It’s a family farm business,” Bob Krouse says. “We produce about 10 million eggs per year.”

The eggs are marketed under various brand names. While most of their hens are in cages, they also raise cage-free hens and market cage-free eggs. “It’s a market that is growing all the time,” he explains.

EGGS AND MORE EGGS: Midwest Poultry in Kosciusko County is a family business producing 10 million eggs annually. From left are Sam, Sally, Bob and Dan Krouse. Bob and Sally will host the state fair on the day eggs are featured, Aug. 8. (Photo courtesy of Bob and Sally Krouse)