Indiana Landmarks seeks historic farms for rural preservation award

Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Farm Bureau are seeking nominations for the 2017 John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation.

The award recognizes the preservation and continued agricultural use of historic farm buildings in Indiana.

Anyone, including farm owners, can submit a nomination for the Arnold Award, which will be presented during the Indiana State Fair in August.

The nomination 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-resolution digital photographs of the farm and its preserved historic features.

The award winner receives a handsome outdoor marker, a vehicle pass to the Indiana State Fair, and overnight accommodation in Indianapolis for the presentation.

Indiana Landmarks named the award in memory of John Arnold (1955-91), a Rush County farmer who successfully combined progressive agricultural practices with a deep respect for the natural and historic 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 Arnold Award for Rural Preservation nomination form is available at bit.ly/ArnoldAward17, or by contacting Tommy Kleckner at Indiana Landmarks, 812-232-4534 or tkleckner@indianalandmarks.org.

Deadline for submitting nominations is 5 p.m. June 30.