HEBRON, Ind. — The Jerry and Susie Hayden family of Lake County was named the 2012 Indiana Farm Family of the Year during the Indiana Farm Bureau (IFB) State Convention last month.

“Over the past 15 years, we have enjoyed getting to know each of the families and the unique ways they work together to sustain their operation and serve their communities,” said Scott Beck, vice president of Beck’s Hybrids, one of the businesses presenting the award. “Our selection of the Hayden family gives us one more reason to celebrate the good things that are happening with Indiana farm families.”

The Haydens were recognized with their children and grandchildren: son, Matt, and his wife, Chari, and children Conner and Zach; son, Jeremy, and his wife, Kelly, and children Drew and Erin; daughter, Jamie, and her husband, Ryan Thompson, and their daughter Jacinda; and son, Bobby.

Jerry, Susie, Matt, Chari, Bobby and one full-time employee are responsible for the day-to-day operations, raising corn, soybeans and some wheat on 500 owned and 3,500 rented acres. The family also raises 40 head of miniature Herefords.

The family is deeply involved in the community, especially in promoting agriculture. For the past two years the Haydens have hosted a “Day on the Farm,” showing how a farm works to about 170 preschool students, their teachers, parents and others.

In August, Lake County Farm Bureau gave away a Day on the Farm to someone who entered the Farm Bureau drawing at the Lake County Fair. The Haydens hosted the winning family, who were able to ride in a combine and see the farm animals.

In October, they worked with IFB and the Indiana Truckers Assoc. to send a trailer full of round hay bales to aid cattle farmers in drought-stricken Texas.

“The Haydens continually strive to promote agriculture in their county, state and beyond,” Beck said. “They work tirelessly – writing, talking and passing along the good message about American farming to people who know less and less about its benefits and its importance in the nation’s economy and society.”

The family is active in the Lake County Farm Bureau, with Susie, Matt, Jeremy and Bobby all currently serving county board members. Susie is the county women’s leader and Bobby is chair of the Young Farmers Committee.

Jerry is vice president of Eagle Creek Township and an elder at Range Line Community Presbyterian Church. Susie is secretary of the Indian Trail Grange.

Matt is president of Eagle Creek Township; a member of the Purdue Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Training; chair of the Lake County Extension Board; a county committeeman on the FSA board; and a 4-H leader. Chari teaches special education at Lake Village Elementary School and is the District 1 Farm Bureau secretary.

Jamie is also involved in special education, teaching preschool to special needs students in Crete, Ill.

As the 2012 Indiana Farm Family of the Year, the family members received a plaque and a yard sign. They also will receive an all-expense-paid vacation getaway based on their own personal interests.

The award has been presented annually for the past 15 years by two family-owned agribusinesses, Beck’s Hybrids and Indiana AgriNews. Families are chosen from nominations submitted by friends and peers.