Letter: Historic farms have less protection than swampland

The Louis H. Sturm Hardware Store in Jasper, built around 1850, is recognized as one of the oldest businesses in Dubois County. If someone suggested that the building be torn down and the lot paved over, the public outcry would be tremendous.

There are businesses just as old in this county who are facing that threat today. The families who have owned these properties for generations have labored long and hard to keep their business operating since the early days of the State of Indiana. Yet the state, at the urging of a few large local companies who would profit from it, is planning to destroy these businesses. Why is there no overwhelming public outcry?

They are just farms.

Farming is one of the most important businesses in the county. Without farmers, people cannot survive. The farmers work long hours in all types of weather to provide food, clothing, fuel, and other necessities to our nation with no guarantee of income from all their effort. Yet, they have little respect from the government and many of the citizens.

Historic buildings have many laws protecting them, but there is no such protection for historic farms. Projects like the Mid-States Corridor are routed through farmland because they have little protection and are simply considered undeveloped land, even though their owners have spent generations developing it to support their business. Even swamps have more protection than the family farm.

It is time that multigenerational family farms are recognized as an important part of our county’s history that needs to be preserved. It’s time to stand up to the businesses and governmental officials, both elected and appointed, and let them know that our history is more important than trucks saving five minutes on a trip to Indianapolis. Join us in our efforts to stop the Mid-States Corridor Project.

Thomas Bartelt
Huntingburg