By Lesley Gordon
Media and Community Outreach Manager, Indiana State Fair Commission

The Indiana State Fair is the greatest showcase of the past, present and future of Hoosier agriculture and the Indiana State Fair Year of the Farmer presented by Dow AgroSciences proudly dedicates your Great Indiana State Fair to the farmers who make it happen.

To honor and celebrate those who have committed their lives to innovation in agriculture, each day of the 17 day fair will highlight a different farmer/farm family who represents a different element of Indiana agriculture. David Lash of Kosciusko County will represent corn and soybeans. 

These farmers, who were selected in collaboration with Indiana agriculture stakeholders, will be featured on daily highlight sheets for the fair as well as participate in various events and exhibits all around the Fair.  

“Farmers are the heroes of modern agriculture, and the people on this list are amazing role models for this essential industry,” said Rajan Gajaria, vice president, Latin America and North America, Dow AgroSciences. “There is amazing variety in Indiana agriculture, which gives fairgoers a unique opportunity to learn more about the farmers who feed us all.”

Below are the farmers/farm families, the segment of agriculture they are representing, farm location and their featured day at the fair. 

• • David Lash (corn and soybean) Mentone, Kosciusko County; Friday, Aug. 14
• Valerie Duttlinge (swine) Gentryville, Spencer County; Friday, Aug. 7
• Paul and Diane, Jeremy Russell (sheep) Eaton, Delaware County;  Saturday, Aug. 8
• Dale and Lisa Koester (corn, soybean and wheat) Wadesville, Posey County; Sunday, Aug. 9
• Mike and Susan Shuter (beef) Frankton, Madison County; Monday, Aug. 10
• Phil Overdorf (chicken, eggs and turkey) Tipton, Tipton County; Tuesday, Aug. 11
• Jerry and Paige, Jason and Alison McClure (apples, produce and wine) Peru, Miami County; Wednesday, Aug. 12
• Maggie Goeglein Hanna (urban farmer) Indianapolis, Marion County, Thursday, Aug. 13
• Dean and Anita Stumler (pumpkin) Fredericksburg, Washington County; Saturday, Aug. 15
• Luann Troxel (dairy) Hanna, LaPorte County; Sunday, Aug. 16
• Karlanea and Daryl Brown (aquaculture) Fowler, Benton County; Monday, Aug. 17
• Dan Wehr (trees/hardwood) Jasper, Dubois County; Tuesday, Aug. 18
• Doug Morrow (corn and soybean) Marion, Grant County; Wednesday, Aug. 19
• David, Mary, Adam and Aaron Howell (tomato) Middleton, Delaware County; Thursday, Aug. 20
• Larry Wappel, Sr. Eric and  Larry Wappel, Jr. (mint) San Pierre, Starke County;  Friday, Aug. 21
• Cathy and Ashley Richards (produce) Greenwood, Johnson County; Saturday, Aug. 22
• Ed Bell (strawberries and fruit) Hagerstown, Wayne County; Sunday, Aug. 23

 For more information on our Feature Farmers, be sure to follow @IndyStateFair, our hashtag #YearoftheFarmer and like us on Facebook.