VERMILLION COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — One family farm here in the Wabash Valley is showing what it means to keep generations of farming alive.
Troy Helt says that this farm has been in his family for four generations, 104 years, and he plans to keep it that way.
“Farming is still a very important enmity that we need in life today,” Helt said. ” I just think it is important to keep it; it keeps people working it provides so many jobs and resources.”
The Helt family received a Hoosier Homestead award at the Indiana State Fair for the farm being in the same family for over 100 years and also being an operating farm.
“We were at the state fair a week ago for the ceremony and it was very interesting to see all the different people from all over the state of Indiana who accepted this award,” Helt said.
The award meant a lot to Troy, but not as much as the memories he has on the land.
“I have a lot of memories of being on wagons and hauling hay and feed over here. We used to have a lot of pasture [here] underneath these hickory trees,” said Helt.
Many times, he was asked to sell the land, but he knows that it doesn’t just impact himself, it’s impacts people’s jobs and livelihoods once farmland is sold.
Dan Rippy who has been farming the Helt’s land for over 39 years know the value and honor in farm ground. “They don’t make any more of it, hold on to it. Farm ground is a pretty good investment, and family farms are getting fewer and fewer,” said Rippy.
According to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, farming contributes an estimated 35.1 billion dollars to Indiana’s economy and 94% of farms are family-owned or operated.
In the year 2033 the original homestead house and more farm acres will be turning 100 years old at the Helt farm and Troy said he will be sure to apply.
For more information on the award and how to apply click here.
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