NEWS

Historic farms sought for rural preservation award

Deadline for nominations is April 15, 2024 for award recognizing continued use of historic farm buildings in Indiana.

Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Farm Bureau welcome nominations for the 2024 John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation. The award recognizes the preservation and continued agricultural use of historic farm buildings in Indiana. Since it was established in 1992, owners of more than 30 historic farms across the state have been honored with the award.

Anyone, including farm owners, can submit a nomination for the Arnold Award, which will be presented during the Celebration of Agriculture at the Indiana State Fair in August. The nomination is simple and asks for:

  • A brief history of the farm and description of its significant historic structures and features, such as the farmhouse, barns, agricultural outbuildings, and landscape elements.
  • A description of how the farm’s historic agricultural structures are used in day-to-day farming operations, and how they have been preserved or adapted.
  • High-res digital photographs of the farm and its preserved historic features. Historic images are also welcome.

The award winner receives an outdoor marker and feature coverage in Indiana Preservation magazine.

Indiana Landmarks named the award in memory of John Arnold (1955-1991), a Rush County farmer who successfully combined progressive agricultural practices with a deep respect for the historic and natural features of the rural landscape. The John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation honors those who share a similar commitment to preserving the landmarks and landscape of rural Indiana.

The 2023 winner was Evers Plainview Farms, established in 1854 in Wolcottville in Noble County.

Submit nominations for the Arnold Award at www.indianalandmarks.org/john-arnold-award-rural-preservation. Deadline for nominations is April 15, 2024.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Mindi Woolman, Director of Communications and Marketing, Indiana Landmarks, 317-639-4534, mwoolman@indianalandmarks.org

Tommy Kleckner, Director, Western Regional Office, Indiana Landmarks, 812-232-4534, tkleckner@indianalandmarks.org

About Indiana Landmarks
Indiana Landmarks revitalizes communities, strengthens connections to our diverse heritage, and saves meaningful places. With nine offices located throughout the state, Indiana Landmarks helps people rescue endangered landmarks and restore historic neighborhoods and downtowns. People who join Indiana Landmarks receive its bimonthly magazine, Indiana Preservation. For more information on the not-for-profit organization, call 317-639-4534, 800-450-4534, or visit IndianaLandmarks.org.

About Indiana Farm Bureau
For more than 100 years, Indiana Farm Bureau (INFB) has protected and enhanced the future of agriculture and our communities. As the state’s largest general farm organization, INFB works diligently to cultivate a thriving agricultural ecosystem to strengthen the viability of Indiana agriculture. Learn more at INFB.org.

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