Hoosier farms awarded highest ag honor

INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) – Garwood Orchards in La Porte and MPS Egg Farms in North Manchester have been awarded the AgriVision Award, the highest agricultural honor from the state of Indiana. The award was presented at the Indiana Statehouse by Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture director Bruce Kettler.

The award is presented to businesses or organizations within the Hoosier agricultural community that are advancing the industry by developing new technology, working to address a worldwide issue or creating a better community.

“These two agricultural operations take technology and community involvement to the Next Level,” said Crouch. “It was an honor to recognize the families and their agricultural businesses at the Statehouse today.”

Garwood Orchards is an agritourism destination, owned and operated business by brothers Tom, Mike and Brian Garwood. The farm produces about 500 acres of fresh fruits and vegetables such as sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers and apples for U-Pick, farm markets and wholesale.

MPS Egg Farms, one of the largest shell egg producers in the United States, is a sixth-generation family farm business. The family business, run by Bob, Dan and Sam Krouse, has 630 employees who care for 11 million hens, which produce more than 9 million eggs daily at six farms in Indiana, Illinois and Texas.

“Garwood Orchards and MPS Egg Farms are pillars in the agriculture industry,” said ISDA Director Bruce Kettler. “The passion they have not only for their own businesses, but their respective communities is exceptional. It was an honor to recognize them and their contributions today at the statehouse.”