Hochstedlers Named Ag Society's Farm Family of the Year
Published: Friday, September 4, 2026
Doug Hochstedler joined his family farm in Wakarusa in 1989 after he graduated from high school, and married his wife of nearly 30 years, Rhonda, in 1996. Together, the two are being recognized as the Elkhart County Ag Society Farm Family of the Year at the annual meeting on Sept. 8.
When asked how it felt to be receiving the award, Doug said it was very humbling.
"I take it as an honor," Doug said, adding that it reassured them that they were making some right decisions.
Doug and Rhonda said hard work on and off the farm, community involvement and faith are key to being an exemplary farm family.
"You've got to do a good job farming and be involved in the community that you live in," Doug said.
"Farming's hard work. It takes hard work and dedication to stick with it and lots of long hours," Rhonda said. "Farming takes a lot of faith, too, because you don't have much control over weather or grain prices."
In addition to farming, Doug is active in the Foraker Volunteer Fire Department, teaches Sunday school at his church, sits on the church board and is a member of the Elkhart County Ag Society board of directors. Rhonda also teaches Sunday school and volunteers with the church worship team.
Their passion for the farming lifestyle is rooted in hard work paying off.
"To have success in the crops I'm growing – it's fun for me. It's rewarding to see a good harvest," Doug said.
He added that there is flexibility in his work, which is an added bonus.
"It's fulfilling to have the heart to work hard and see what comes of it," Rhonda said.
The lifestyle also allows them to be self-sufficient, which she enjoys.
"We're blessed to be able to live this lifestyle. God has definitely provided for us over the years," Doug said.
Doug raises corn, soybeans and wheat on about 750 acres in Wakarusa. He manages the farm finances, equipment, planting, field scouting and care, and harvest. On the side, he sells split firewood and works part time at Yellow Creek Gravel Services. Rhonda works at Nappanee Family Eyecare, manages their gardening and canning, and ensures Doug gets meals while he's out in the field. Together, they raised two children.
Kristen, their oldest, is a nurse at the St. Joe Medical Center in Mishawaka, is married and has a daughter, Caroline. Her husband is Connor Fitch. Derek, their youngest, is a mechanical engineer at SMC in Noblesville. He is engaged and will marry his fiancée, Eliza, on Sept. 5.
Rhonda said both their children helped on the farm when they were growing up, but had other passions to pursue. Doug agreed and added that it is important to have a passion for farming.
"I never pushed them to come back if they didn't have that passion," he said.
The farm has changed over the years since Doug has taken over management of it. When he stated in 1989, he and his father managed 300 acres of land and a herd of 100 sows, which they raised from farrow to finish. Soon after Doug joined the operation, they increased their capacity to 500 acres with the hogs. After some harder years in the pork industry, the Hochstedlers sold off their swine in 2000 and made some much-needed upgrades on the farm. Doug increased their operation to include over 900 acres.
Today, the Hochstedlers have cut back their acreage to include about 300 acres each of corn and soybeans, and another 150 acres of wheat.
Challenges they have faced on the farm include market prices, finding help on the farm and strong weather conditions. Doug noted that the past 10 years have been especially challenging with weather, with a seemingly tighter window of time for both planting and harvesting each year. In recent years, inputs and crop prices have been the biggest challenge.
As the Hochstedlers look to the future, they are considering gradually selling off acreage and possibly increasing Doug's time at his part-time job. They look forward to spending more time with family and plan to travel more once they retire.
Return to Top of Page