WABASH VALLEY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Nominations for the 2023 John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation are now open. 

The award is designed to recognize the continued agricultural use and preservation of historic farm buildings across the state. Since the award was established in 1992, more than 30 historic farms in Indiana have been honored with the John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation.

Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Farm Bureau welcome anyone to submit a nomination for the award, including farm owners. The deadline for nominations is on May 1. The award will be presented in August at the Indiana State Fair during the Celebration of Agriculture.

The nomination requirements are as follows: 

• A brief history of the farm, and a description of the historic and significant buildings, structures, or features such as the barns, farmhouses, landscape elements, or agricultural buildings.
• A short explanation of how the historic agricultural buildings/structures/features are used in daily farming operations as well as how those elements have been adapted or preserved.
• Digital, high-resolution photographs of the farm and rural areas as well as the preserved historical features. Historical images are also welcome in addition.  

The winner of the award will receive an outdoor marker and will be featured in Indiana Preservation magazine.

The award was named in memory of John Arnold (1955-1991), a farmer in Rush County who was known for merging his progressive agricultural practices with his high regard for the natural and historic aspects of the farmland and rural areas. The John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation aims to honor those with a similar dedication to the preservation of rural landscapes and landmarks in Indiana.

Nominations for the award can be submitted online at the Indiana Landmarks John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation webpage. For further information, contact Tommy Kleckner, Indiana Landmarks Western Regional Office Director at 812-232-4534 or by email.