A multi-generational Clinton County farm family will be honored at the Indiana State Fair on August 7 for their exceptional commitment to preserving rural heritage and historic farm structures.
Stan and Lois Anderson, along with members of the extended Anderson and Stine families, have been named recipients of the 2025 John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation, presented by Indiana Landmarks and the Indiana Farm Bureau. The award recognizes their thoughtful stewardship of their 800-acre farmstead located southwest of Frankfort.
At the heart of the Stine-Anderson Family Farm is a late-19th century farmhouse originally purchased by Stan’s maternal grandparents, George and Delia Stine, in 1944. The home features original woodwork, leaded and art glass windows, and a green-tiled fireplace, all carefully preserved or restored during a major renovation in 2005. The family retained many historic details, including pocket doors, a grand staircase, and Douglas fir and oak accents.
Beyond the main house, the Andersons have repurposed multiple farm structures to meet modern needs while honoring the past. A historic smokehouse now serves as office space with vintage siding, and a patio incorporates bricks salvaged from a former nearby school once attended by family members.
A central feature of the property is a 100-year-old timber-frame barn, originally built for hay storage and livestock. It has been adapted to accommodate modern farm equipment and now houses parts, supplies, and vehicles. The barn was previously recognized as one of Indiana’s 200 Bicentennial Barns in 2016.
In recent years, the family expanded their operation to include a pick-your-own flower farm, created by Lois Anderson after retiring from her teaching career. In 2020, she partnered with her brother-in-law Don Anderson, a landscaper, to transform former pastureland into flower beds. They restored a historic scale house for use in the new business, showcasing the original Moline scale box as a tribute to the farm’s roots.
“A certain degree of creativity goes into maintaining and redoing these farm buildings,” said Phil Anderson, one of Stan’s brothers. “It’s about repurposing them to be used in a different way while maintaining the farm’s heritage and viability.”
“The Anderson family’s intentional preservation of buildings on the Stine-Anderson Family Farm through adaption and continued use reflects the spirit of the Arnold Award,” said Tommy Kleckner, director of Indiana Landmarks’ Western Regional Office.
The John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation is named in memory of John Arnold (1955–1991), a Rush County farmer dedicated to protecting Indiana’s rural legacy.