The Hoosier Farmer - issue 78 by Indiana Farm Bureau

Volunteers Honored at Spring Conference Page 3

County Spotlight Pages 4, 5

President’s Tour Page 7

INSIDE: News in Brief................ 2 Around INFB................ 3 State & Nation.............. 6 Communication............ 7 Around Indiana............ 8

The Hoosier Farmer

A Publication for Voting Members of Indiana Farm Bureau

MARCH 21, 2016 Issue No. 78

Farmers win historic property tax relief —By Jay A. Wood Public Relations Team It’s time for a celebration. Farmland taxes are finally going down. “Results this year were defined by member engagement in issues that affect their families, their rural communities and their farm’s bottom line,” said INFB President Randy Kron. “Indiana Farm Bureau’s winning effort was driven by daily Statehouse visits by as many as 10 county Farm Bureaus at a time, more than

safety and permitting of hunting preserves, to name a few. “All I can say is thank you to our members for their efforts, and especially to Sen. Brandt Hershman who proposed the formula concepts, and to Rep. Tim Brown who pushed it through the House. But it also took countless legislators who listened to the facts and recognized the need for farmland tax relief,” said Katrina Hall, director of state government relations. SB 308, which addresses INFB’s top priority of farm-

For in-depth coverage of the 2016 General Assembly, see the April issue of The Hoosier Farmer, which will include a special insert that focuses on the legislative session. 1,700 emails to legislators, countless text messages and phone calls, and prelegislative and third-house meetings.” INFB used every tool available to ensure that members got relief from increasing property tax burdens. Kron also visited personally with House and Senate leadership. Overall, Indiana Farm Bureau achieved significant gains on not only its four legislative priorities (farmland property taxes, transportation and infrastructure, annexation and tax assessments, audits and appeals) but also on regulatory oversight, food Indiana Farm Bureau P.O. Box 1290 Indianapolis, IN 46206

land property tax relief, was the greatest achievement, maybe of all time, according to Hall. Again this year, the final vote on farmland tax relief was one of the final votes of the session. While nerve-wracking, this is a sign it was considered one of the most critical bills of the session. SB 308 makes permanent and substantial changes to the farmland value formula. It is estimated that SB 308 will save farmland owners $16.5 million in 2017, $48.7 million in 2018 and $106.4 million in 2019. While savings from last year’s legislation averted

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a $250 million increase for the same period, SB 308 will make farmland bills go down. The final version of SB 308: Matches the base value more closely with a farmer’s ability to pay by reducing the four-year lag in net income data used in the formula to a two-year delay. Puts the soil productivity factors to rest by freezing INFB’s Katrina Hall shares details and talking points about SB 308 with them at the 2011 Farm Bureau members to prepare them for their Statehouse visit on Feb. 29. levels. Includes statutory Photo by Jay A. Wood cap rates (ranging study and assist local govTaps excess reserves. between 6 percent and 8 ernments with transportation Establishes local options percent) that are triggered by asset management plans. (e.g. wheel and surtax) and how much the farmland forHB 1001 was authored matching grants. mula increases or decreases. in the House by Rep. Ed Redirects an additional A statutory cap rate is needed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, and it 1.5 cent gas sales tax to to achieve lower and stable was sponsored in the Senroads and bridges to be alfarmland assessments. ate by Sens. Luke Kenley, located to local units in a The bill was authored R-Noblesville, Brandt Hershgrant program. in the Senate by Sens. man, R-Buck Creek, and Jim Releases funds the state Brandt Hershman, R-Buck Arnold, D-LaPorte. now holds in trust for loCreek, and Eric Bassler, “None of the many Indical government (75 percent R-Washington, and in the ana Farm Bureau legislative must be used for roads and House by Reps. Tim Brown, accomplishments could bridges). R-Crawfordsville, Don Lehe, have been achieved without Allocates $42 million for R-Brookston, Bob Cherry, Rthe grassroots engagement of the Regional Cities program. Greenfield, and Jeff Thompmembers finding their voice Redirects $100 million for son, R-Lizton. by coming to the Statehouse, INDOT to use for preservaHB 1001 was another attending town hall meetings tion and maintenance. major win for INFB. The bill and making other contacts Establishes the Funding provides additional funds with their lawmakers,” said Indiana’s Road for Stronger, for INDOT but also includes Kron. “We truly appreciate Safer Tomorrow Task Force. much needed funds and your hard work and dedicaAppropriates $500,000 tools for local roads. The fition.” for the Local Technical Asnal version: sistance Program (LTAP) to

Grassroots engagement is the secret to INFB’s success —By INFB President Randy Kron The bills highlighted in this edition of The Hoosier Farmer are concrete solutions to the most pressing issues faced by Indiana famers today. None of these legislative victories could have been achieved without the grassroots engagement of you, our members. You took time

from your farms and families and found your voice in government by coming to the Statehouse and making other contacts with your lawmakers back home. It is appropriate that we as an organization thank each legislator who authored and supported our priority issues, with special thanks to Sen. Brandt Hershman and Rep. Tim Brown for crafting a compromise on farmland

tax relief, as well as Rep. Ed Soliday for his leadership on road funding. I want to offer my personal thanks to you, our engaged members, who helped us achieve so much this legislative session. You should be very pleased with your accomplishments, and I am extremely proud of your grassroots involvement in the policy implementation process.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Homegrown by Heroes program recognizes Hoosier vets —From ISDA & Purdue Ag Communications Indiana farmers who are military veterans or on active duty can now market their products through the Indiana Grown Homegrown by Heroes initiative, a partnership between the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and Farmer Veteran Coalition with support from the Purdue University-based National AgrAbility Project. Participating farmers are entitled to use a special logo on their packaging and signage, similar to the Indiana Grown campaign launched last year. “As a result of this collaboration, our Hoosier farmer veterans now have an additional marketing tool available for their use,” said Cindy Chastain, farmer veteran coordinator for the National AgrAbility Project. “Indiana communities will also benefit by knowing the

food they are buying is local food grown by local American veterans.” “After putting their lives on the line for our freedom, helping them achieve success in their civilian affairs is the least we can do,” said Gov. Mike Pence. To be eligible to use the

Indiana Grown Homegrown by Heroes logo, the producer must meet all Indiana Grown membership criteria, as well as the following: Be a veteran or an active duty, National Guard or

Reserve member of the U.S. Armed Forces. Provide a copy of their Department of Defense Form 214 or equivalent. Have received an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions. Provide a letter of support from their commanding officer or designated representative attesting to their service under honorable conditions. Maintain 50 percent or greater veteran ownership of their business or operation and 50 percent or greater veteran management control. “I’m thrilled to be in my home state launching a new chapter of Homegrown by Heroes and celebrating the program partnership with Indiana Grown,” said Sara Creech, owner of Blue Yonder Organic Farm. “As a veteran and local agriculture business owner, I see great value in the Homegrown by

“Find Your Voice” is the theme of the new membership campaign INFB rolled out in January. Several variations of the ad have been created, and while so far all are geared for a statewide effort, eventually there will be a template for counties to use. While the main purpose of the campaign is promoting membership, it can also be used for INFB’s grassroots lobbying effort. Heroes program and look forward to seeing its impact on my fellow veterans and Indiana Grown members.” For more information on

the program, go to the Indiana Grown website at www. indianagrown.org/2016/02/ indiana-grown-homegrownby-heroes/.

AFBF joins initiative to give farmers control of data they collect —From the AFBF Communications Department The American Farm Bureau Federation and a host of other agricultural stakeholders have unveiled a ground-breaking data repository that supporters say will give farmers ultimate control over the ever-increasing business data gathered and transmitted by high-tech farm machinery. Tractors, tilling equipment, planters, sprayers, harvesters and agricultural drones are increasingly connected to the Internet. Farmers don’t always have the ability to precisely control where that data goes, nor transfer it from one data processor to another. The newly formed Agricultural Data Coalition will empower farmers to better control, Administrative/Finance Team

President............................................Randy Kron Vice President.................................Kendell Culp Second Vice President................ Isabella Chism Chief Operating Officer/Treasurer..Mark Sigler Receptionist..........................................Kim Duke General Fund Accountant..............Tiffanie Ellis Office Manager & Meeting Planner..............................Kay Keown Controller..........................................Elaine Rueff Administrative Assistant...................Jill Shanley Executive Secretary.................... Beverly Thorpe

District Directors Harold Parker (1) Kevin Ousley (2) Kevin Underwood (3) Steve Maple (4) Dave Wyeth (5)

Scott Trennepohl (6) Jeff Gormong (7) Mark Bacon (8) Philip Springstun (9) Robert Schickel (10)

Indiana Agricultural Law Foundation

Director...............................................John Shoup

March 21, 2016

manage and maximize the value of the data they collect every day in the fields. “Farmers must retain ownership and control of the private agricultural data that originates from the work they do in their fields,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “Harnessing that proprietary information for field-level efficiency and effectiveness is the key that will unlock more profitability and the greater adoption of precision agriculture. That’s good for business and the environment, too.” The ADC is the result of years of planning and coordination by AFBF, Auburn University, Ohio State University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, AGCO, CNH Industrial, Crop IMS, Raven Industries, Mississippi State University and Topcon

Positioning Systems Inc. The goal of the ADC, a non-profit venture, is to build a national online repository where farmers can securely store and control the information collected by their tractors, harvesters, aerial drones and other devices. Over time, that data can then be scrubbed, synced and transmitted in an efficient and uniform way to third parties – whether researchers, crop insurance agents, government officials, farm managers, input providers or any trusted advisor the farmer chooses. “The key is that farmers are in complete control, and they decide who is allowed access to their data,” said Matt Bechdol, ADC interim executive director. “That’s what sets ADC apart. This is not about profit for others;

Indiana Farm Bureau Inc./ Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance

Direct Retail Business Specialist....... Bob White Public Policy Intern........................ Shelby Swain

Director of Affiliate Relations.................. Julie Klarich

Legal Affairs Team

Director & General Counsel.................... Mark Thornburg Associate Counsel for Corporate Compliance & Nonprofit Affairs............ Sara MacLaughlin Legal Assistant........................... Maria Spellman

Public Policy Team

Director............................................ Megan Ritter National Government Relations Policy Advisor..................Kyle Cline Policy Advisor & Counsel............. Amy Cornell State Government Relations Director.......................................... Katrina Hall Administrative Assistant ............. Diane Helton Administrative Assistant ........... Wanda Hunter Senior Policy Advisor & Counsel................................... Justin Schneider Livestock Development Specialist... Greg Slipher

Public Relations Team

Director & Editor ........................Andy Dietrick Web Designer/Developer............. Diane Brewer Publications Managing Editor & Media Relations Specialist......Kathleen Dutro Marketing & PR Specialist................Mindy Reef Communications Assistant....... Rachel Schrage Communications Specialist, Public Policy and Advocacy............. Jay Wood

Organizational Development Team

Director..................................Mel Hollingsworth Women’s Leadership Program Coordinator............... Ashley Beasley Field Services Program Director..........................................Chris Fenner Membership Sales & Marketing Coordinator................Chelsea Poe Young Farmer & Youth Program Coordinator..................... Allie Rieth

it’s about streamlining data management, establishing clear lines of control, and helping growers utilize their data in ways that ultimately benefit them.”

Farmers interested in learning more about data collection, and organizations interested in joining ADC’s efforts, should visit www.AgDataCoalition.org.

Wanted: Ag Day photos County Farm Bureaus sponsor many interesting (and photogenic) activities in honor of Ag Day/Ag Week, and INFB’s public relations team is hoping you’ll share photos of those events with us. We’ll run some in the April issue of The Hoosier Farmer, and others will be shared on the website or the “Indiana Farm Bureau News” Facebook page. To have photos of your event considered for The

Hoosier Farmer, email them to Kathleen Dutro, kdutro@ infb.org, by no later than April 6. Please do not resize the photos – the PR team needs original sizes to publish in the print edition of The Hoosier Farmer. We know that some counties hold their activities later in the year. If your activity occurs too late for the April 6 deadline, we’d still love to see your photos and will consider them for INFB’s Facebook page.

Program Assistant..................... Kathryn Rogers Education Coordinator..................... Julie Taylor Member Services Coordinator........ Anna Todd Program Assistant............................Tracie Trent

Address Letters & Questions To: Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. Box 1290, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1290. Phone: 1-800-327-6287 or (317) 692-7776 E-Mail Address: askus@infarmbureau.org

Regional Managers

Duplicate Magazines If you are receiving more than one copy of The Hoosier Farmer®, please cut out both labels and return them to the address above.

Wayne Belden (1 & 3) Greg Bohlander (6) Andrew Cleveland (4 & 6) Casie Conley (4) Janice Deno (3) Jennifer Chandler Gish (9) Allison Hines (10) Amy Hutson (5) Susan Lawrence (2) John Newsom (1 & 2) Kermit Paris (8) Keegan Poe (5 & 8) Brad Ponsler (10) E.B. Rawles (7) Laura Ruhlman (7 & 9)

Magazine Design and Layout Davis Graphic Design www.davisgraphics.com The Hoosier Farmer® is published 14 times per year by Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., P.O. Box 1290, Indianapolis, IN 46206, and is furnished as a service to voting members and others. Controlled circulation. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Hoosier Farmer® P.O. Box 1290 Indianapolis, IN 46206-1290. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.

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AROUND INFB

Volunteers honored at annual conference —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team Eleven Ag in the Classroom volunteers received special recognition during Indiana Farm Bureau’s 2016 Spring Conference. Ruth Lohide of Switzerland County was honored as AITC Volunteer of the Year. Lohide was chosen from among the district winners of the Reaching Out Award, which honors AITC volunteers who go above and beyond to educate youth about agriculture. In addition to Lohide, who represented INFB District 10, the Reaching Out Award winners were Jennifer Richter, Fulton County, District 1; Cindy Berning, Allen County, District 2; Pat Burkhalter, Clinton County, District 3; Sharon Dillman, Miami County, District 4; Ginny Rodgers, Boone County, District 5; Beth Vansickle, Madison County, District 6; Becky Butt, Clay County; District 7; Susann Wendel, Franklin County, District 8; Judy Gumbel and Ken Meyer, Pike County, District 9. “It is very fitting that we honor our volunteers at this conference since they are not only increasing agriculture literacy but also continually seeking the most up-to-date information,” said Isabella Chism, INFB 2nd vice president. “Every year we honor members who are reaching out and amplifying our voice in many different public forums. Everyone has a story that needs to be told and there are many ways of telling it.” Lohide was chosen as Volunteer of the Year because she has been a “true advocate for agriculture,” said Debbie Jordan, INFB District 6 education and outreach coordinator. “Ruth’s exemplary commitment to educating youth about agriculture has been a shining example for all who have experienced her warm demeanor and passion for ag,” Jordan said in presenting Lohide with the award. The conference also raised money for a special organization – the National Guard Relief Fund. A total of $6,039 was raised through the silent and live auctions held during the conference. The annual event is organized and coordinated by the INFB Women’s Leadership Committee, and it’s an opportunity for Farm Bureau members to get together before the hustle and bustle of planting season starts to learn, have fun and honor volunteers. “The GMO panel discussion and property tax records sessions were among the most popular this year,” Chism noted. Also recognized during the conference were Wabash and Steuben County Farm Bureaus, each of which won an ag education and promotion development grant. Announced during the conference were the 2016 Agricultural and Cultural Exchange (ACE) ambassadors: John and Marybeth Feutz of Gibson County and Nick and Julie Wenning of Decatur County.

Ag in the Classroom volunteers from each of INFB’s 10 districts were recognized during Spring Conference as Reaching Out Award winners. At the front of the group is Ruth Lohide of Switzerland County, who was honored as Volunteer of the Year. From left are Beth Vansickle, Ginny Rodgers, Jennifer Richter, Sharon Dillman, Pat Burkhalter, Ken Meyer, Susann Wendel and Judy Gumbel. Not pictured: Cindy Berning and Becky Butt. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro

Melba Lloyd, District 10 education and outreach coordinator, and Marla Storm, District 3 EOC, auction off a cute and fluffy singing cow donated by Carolyn Hegel, former INFB 2nd vice president, during the conference’s live auction. Because Hegel was unable to attend the conference due to illness, the cow was purchased by the INFB Board of Directors for $1,400 but it will be returned to her as a get-well gift. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro

District 6 education and outreach coordinator Deb Jordan (fourth from left) moderates a lively roundtable discussion during a Spring Conference breakout session. County education and outreach coordinators shared ideas about educational programs and outreach efforts that were successful in their home counties. Photo by Andy Dietrick

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LuAnn Troxel, a dairy farmer from LaPorte County, moderates a panel discussion on GMOs during Saturday’s breakout sessions at INFB Spring Conference. Photo by Rachel Schrage

Colleen Holman of Steuben County poses with Isabella Chism, INFB 2nd vice president. Steuben County was one of two counties – the other was Wabash County – that were awarded ag education and promotion development grants. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro

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AROUND THE COUNTIES

County Spotlight County Farm Bureaus use different approaches to engage effectively Stories by Andy Dietrick, Kathleen M. Dutro & Jay A. Wood County Farm Bureaus are using lots of different ways to work effectively in their local areas. Some of those efforts are outlined on these two pages. Perhaps reading about these programs – some new, some tried-and-true favorites – will give readers ideas that they can use in their own counties.

Allen County: NO to ONE The objective of Allen County’s NO to ONE campaign was to stop an effort to replace the current system of three county commissioners with a single county executive. Under the existing system, Allen County residents vote for 7 of the 10 elected members of the county council and county commission. But had the SCE plan gone into effect, voters would only cast 2 votes – one for a council representative and one for the SCE. Allen County residents would therefore have lost representation under this plan. The board made several trips to the Statehouse while the General Assembly was in session to get the proposal stopped, but in 2014, it went on the ballot anyway. “We had to step up and preserve our voice for agriculture in the

county,” the county explained in its Impact Award application. “If we did not stand up and say NO to ONE then the implications for the entire state would be huge.” The multifaceted campaign included forming a coalition with other interested groups and establishing a committee that met regularly until after election day, hiring a campaign strategy company, hosting public forums, billboards, hundreds of yard signs, phone banks and door-todoor visits. More than $200,000 was raised to fund the campaign. And on Election Day, November 4, 2014, the NO to ONE campaign was successful by a sizeable margin. For its efforts, Allen County Farm Bureau earned an Impact Award in the “influential organization” category.

Benton County: Legislative Forum Giving members access to one of their state legislators was the primary purpose of Benton County’s “Forum with Sen. Rick Niemeyer.” The event earned the county a 2015 Impact Award in the category of “issue engagement.”

“Our objective for this meeting was to give our board and members a relaxed venue for access to Sen. Rick Niemeyer to hear his views on activities at the Statehouse and share our agriculture concerns,” the county wrote in its award application.

Members of the Benton County board meet with Indiana Sen. Rick Niemeyer.

Franklin County: Anti-ag ordinance defeated

Allen County Farm Bureau members display some of the materials prepared for the NO to ONE campaign. From left: Harold and Marceil Kleine, Allen County President Roger Hadley, Gerard Wyss, regional manager Susan Lawrence and INFB District 2 Director Kevin Ousley. Photo courtesy of Allen County Farm Bureau

Fulton County: Toolshed meeting Fulton County was one of the 2015 winners of INFB’s Impact Award in the “influential organization” category for a simple but effective idea: a toolshed meeting with Sen. Joe Donnelly. The meeting was held Aug. 10, and topics included GMO labeling, WOTUS and trade. Board members Dennis and Linda Burton offered their farm as the location of shed meeting, and the invitation list included county Farm Bureau board members, county Farm Bureau presidents in the district, the INFB district director, business leaders, political office holders and local media resources. Approximately 35 people attended.

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When a farmer from Union County wanted to locate his hog farm near the Brookville Reservoir in Franklin County, he met resistance from a local marina owner. The marina owner brought a zoning ordinance proposal before the Franklin County Plan Commission, saying, among other things, that IDEM-permitted livestock farms must have a minimum lot size of 40 acres and must be a minimum of 3 miles from the maximum flood elevation surrounding the reservoir. The proposed ordinance would have been very restrictive to any farmers looking to locate their livestock operation in that area. The farmer contacted Franklin County Council member Daryl Kramer, consulting agronomist Scott Kreuzman and INFB regional manager Kermit Paris for help in defeating the proposed anti-ag ordinance. From there, a team consisting of INFB livestock specialist Greg Slipher, Ben Whicker from Indiana Pork and Aly Wells from the Indiana Soybean Alliance came to Franklin County to meet with local farmers and assist

them in preparations for working with the plan commission to make the right decision for agriculture. Fortyfive invitations were sent out for the meeting; 65 people showed up. When the plan commission met to hear the proposal, those 65 people brought friends, increasing the total number to 129 individuals in opposition. After discussion, the plan commission defeated the proposal by a vote of 5-2. The ag-friendly outcome of the vote proves the saying that if you are not at the table, then you are likely on the menu. If local farmers did not organize and mobilize, the anti-ag ordinance may have passed, Slipher said. Instead, the farmers, by using resources provided by Farm Bureau, found their voice in local government and took a stand for agriculture. By engaging in the process, these farmers and rural residents made a real difference, Slipher added, and will be able to continue doing so, given that the zoning ordinance issue will likely resurface in the future.

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AROUND THE COUNTIES

Henry County: CAFO moratorium In the spring of 2012, the Henry County Board of Commissioners placed a moratorium on the building of any new CAFOs or CFOs in Henry County. The county Farm Bureau decided to propose a new zoning ordinance that would once again allow the siting of new permitted livestock facilities and to find ways to demonstrate the economic benefits that these facilities provide to county leaders. Henry County Farm Bureau worked with county commissioners, the area planning administrator, INFB staff and the Indiana State De-

partment of Agriculture to develop a workable ordinance. It took about six months’ work, but the final zoning ordinance was presented to the commissioners in July 2014, and the commissioners approved it. The county also worked to keep local farmers and FFA members engaged and informed, and worked to make sure farmers attended public meetings. The end result is a workable ordinance that uses a point system to evaluate livestock facility sitings. For its efforts, Henry County won a 2015 Impact Award in the “issue engagement” category.

Marshall County: Lunch with Walorski

Marshall County Farm Bureau built on the success of previous events and hosted a luncheon on March 6, 2015, honoring – and featuring – Rep. Jackie Walorski, who represents Congressional District 2 and serves on the House Ag Committee. Previous luncheons had featured Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann and U.S. Sen. Dan Coats. The purposes of the event were to highlight Walorski as an Ag Committee member, to give her an opportunity to talk to local ag leaders about her goals and to help her learn more about agriculture in Congressional District 2. For this event, Marshall County was named one of INFB’s 2015 Impact Award winners in the category of “influential organization.” Photo by Andy Dietrick

LaPorte County: Truth about GMOs To combat the spread of misinformation on GMOs, LaPorte County Farm Bureau sponsored a panel discussion to which voting members as well as county, state and local officials were invited. The county earned a 2015 Impact Award in the “issue engagement” category for its “Sharing the Truth about GMOs” event, which included a presentation by a three-farmer

Pike County: Connecting with youth Pike County won a 2015 Impact Award in the “young farmers and youth” category with its multi-faceted campaign to increase the Farm Bureau’s interaction with youth. The campaign’s two primary goals were “to tell the story of agriculture and to increase our contact with the '36 and under' population,” Pike County said in its award application. Among the tactics used to achieve these goals were increasing the number of trained Ag in the Classroom volunteers, further developing a partnership with county schools and extension educators, and continuing long-standing programs such as awarding scholarships and donating books to schools and public libraries. Among the results was an increase in the number of trained AITC volunteers. Seven new volunteers were trained and another renewed her training, raising the number of trained volunteers to 10 – a 500 percent increase.

Visitors learn a little bit more about farming at White County Farm Bureau’s “Family Night on the Farm” event, which was held at the Schroeder Farm in Reynolds. Photo courtesy of Marla Storm

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preciated and proud that we are all in support of the American farmer,” the county wrote on its award application. The event also garnered media and social media coverage. “During the event and after the event was the part we really didn’t see coming,” the award application says. “We had countless attendees come to each and every board member with a sincere appreciation for the event and what we do to represent the industry.”

AITC activity likewise increased dramatically. The previous year, 23 people were “directly impacted” by AITC in the Pike County School Corporation’s elementary school classrooms, and that number rose to 188 as a result of the campaign. County volunteers also presented AITC activities at all class levels within the school corporation, fulfilling another goal. AITC activities were also brought to the county fair as a part of the fair’s Family Fun Night. The county also received another Impact Award – this one in the “public relations and education” category – for its farm safety program that included the purchase of a grain storage rescue tube and (with the help of other local groups) providing training for its use. Twenty-six Farm Bureau members were involved with one or more of the project’s many phases, and 23 firefighters received the training. Gavin Howd, Emma McKinney, Rebecca Howd, Emma Powell and Kathy Harker learn about ice cream during Family Fun Night at the Pike County Fair. Photo courtesy of Judy Gumbel

White County: Family Night on the Farm White County was a 2015 Impact Award winner in the “public relations and education” category for its “Family Night on the Farm” event. Approximately 150 people came to the Schroeder Farm in Reynolds, toured information booths, ate dinner with a local farmer, board member or other Farm Bureau member, and left with a dozen eggs and lots of informational pieces on farming. “Everyone in attendance truly had the opportunity to learn about production agriculture, ask questions in a comfortable setting, and feel ap-

panel, open and friendly discussion, and a chili supper. More than 100 people attended, including the LaPorte County sheriff, representatives of the LaPorte County Council and Board of Commissioners, and staff members from U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly and Rep. Jackie Walorski. Several local newspapers covered this event.

Wabash County: 'Farmers Who Care' More than 2,000 families in Wabash County are eating better this month thanks to a group of farmers who care. With support from the Wabash County Farm Bureau board and the county pork producers, 11 pigs were purchased and processed. The ground pork was then distributed to four food pantries in the area. “It’s farmers from Wabash County and the pigs are from Wabash County, so it’s locally grown, locally raised, locally supplied, and that’s a good message,” explained county President Mark York. “In addition to helping many needy families, we wanted to promote the fact that Farm Bureau is out in the community, active in our community, and that farmers truly care.” The one-pound packages of pork also had recipe cards attached, so families who picked up the donated product had instructions for preparing it. Fourteen local 4-H’ers

helped attach the recipes and divide the individual pork packages into 50-pound bags for easier delivery to the food banks. A one-pound package of healthy ground pork can feed up to four people. The idea for the project came from Wabash County Farm Bureau Vice President Scott Dawes, who read about a Michigan Farm Bureau that had done something similar. “They were taking excess funds at the end of the year, processing meat and giving it back to food local pantries, and I thought that was a great idea,” said Dawes. “So I took the idea to our board, and everyone just jumped on it. It was something to help the community, and recognize that Farm Bureau is out in the county doing good things.” Both Dawes and York believe the “Farmers Who Care” campaign will become an annual event in Wabash County.

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STATE & NATION

Indiana Farm Bureau members advise and advocate —By Andy Dietrick Public Relations Team Six Indiana farmers appointed to the American Farm Bureau Federation issue advisory committees returned home recently after a busy trip to Washington, D.C.

The six Hoosiers appointed to the IACs are: Bob Bishop, Kosciusko County, agricultural labor; Joshua Boxell, Howard County, environmental regulations; Kristy Kikly, Henry County, food safety; Adam Moody, Montgomery County, organic and direct marketing;

David Hardin, Hendricks County, trade; and Jonathan Sparks, Hancock County, tax and fiscal policy. The committees are made up of Farm Bureau members with direct involvement in the important issues facing U.S. farmers, and they serve as Farm Bureau’s brain-trust

While in Washington for an AFBF meeting, some of the Indiana members of the AFBF issue advisory committee also took some time to meet with lawmakers, including Sen. Joe Donnelly (third from left). Shown with Donnelly are Adam Moody, Joshua Boxell, Bob Bishop, David Hardin and Jonathan Sparks.

Study shows American, Indiana agriculture will benefit from Trans-Pacific Partnership —By Andy Dietrick Public Relations Team The American Farm Bureau Federation released in February a state-by-state analysis of the economic impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade and investment agreement. Nationally, the American Farm Bureau Federation estimates annual net farm income will increase by $4.4 billion, driven by an increase of direct U.S. agricultural exports of $5.3 billion per year upon full implementation of the TPP agreement. “This report verifies what farmers in Indiana know to be true,” said Indiana Farm Bureau President Randy Kron. “Access to new and emerging markets like those in the TPP is critical to growing our state’s farm economy and creating new opportunities for Indiana farm families.” Net trade is expected to increase for rice, cotton, beef, pork, poultry, butter, cheese, soybeans and products and non-fat dry milk, according to AFBF’s analysis. In Indiana, the TPP agreement is expected to increase

March 21, 2016

cash receipts and net exports by $196 million and $98.3 million per year respectively. It is estimated that the increased marketing opportunities for Hoosier farmers will add more than 740 jobs to the Indiana economy. Eliminating tariffs and other trade barriers on Indiana’s agricultural exports to TPP partner countries will increase trade for a range of Indiana agricultural products, including pork, soybeans, beef and processed food products. Export sales are an important component of Indiana’s farm economy, which had total cash receipts of $13 billion in 2014. The full report from AFBF is available at www.fb.org/ issues/tpp/pdf/TPP Full Report.pdf. State fact sheets (including one for Indiana) can be found at www.fb.org/ issues/tpp/. “If we don’t move forward with TPP, we will fall behind,” said INFB national policy advisor Kyle Cline. “While TPP would only go into full effect if the U.S. ratifies the agreement, other countries will move forward with their bi-lateral or multi-

lateral trade agreements regardless of whether or not we decide to ratify the agreement.” The TPP is a multi-lateral agreement intended to create high quality rules and market access across its 12 participating members. However, outside of TPP, other member countries are already negotiating and implementing bilateral agreements without waiting for the United States to complete action. Failure to enact TPP will not see the U.S. trade situation stay the same, but will lead to declining net exports and market share in important and emerging markets. “While our farmers and ranchers have a lot to gain with passage, the consequences of not approving the deal would be harmful,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Every day we delay means lost markets as other TPP countries implement the deal’s advantages with each other. We are already arriving at the party late because, right now, expanded trade due to TPP is going on across the Pacific Rim – just without us.”

on trending policy issues. They also provide recommendations to state Farm Bureaus and the AFBF Resolutions committee and participate in advocacy efforts on the issues covered by their committees. This year the IAC’s meeting, held Feb. 22-25, coincided with AFBF’s annual Advocacy Conference and member fly-in to Washington. More than 500 Farm Bureau members and leaders from across the country traveled to Capitol Hill to learn how to better advocate for agriculture and to speak directly with their members of Congress on Farm Bureau’s federal priority issues. “It was a good time to be in Washington. Congress is working through some very important trade and technology issues right now, and these experts were on hand to deliver our message to the Indiana delegation,” said Kyle Cline, national policy advisor for Indiana Farm Bureau. Currently, the three priority issues in Congress for farmers are trade (especially the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership),

GMO labeling and regulatory reform. A recent AFBF study estimates that the TPP agreement will increase Indiana’s farm cash receipts and net exports by $196 million and $98.3 million per year respectively. A Farm Bureau-supported bill that would create a national framework for labeling of genetically engineered food products is also making its way through Congress. A national labeling standard is needed to preempt a potential patchwork of stateby-state labeling regulations that will create consumer confusion and increase the cost of food. Farm Bureau members attending the Advocacy Conference were also encouraged to call on lawmakers for regulatory reform that is fair, takes economic impacts into account, and is based on sound scientific data. Recent examples of the challenge of our regulatory system include the EPA’s controversial Waters of the U.S. rule. Members of Congress were asked to step up oversight activities of regulatory agencies and consider congressional intent of related laws.

Eric Holcomb becomes Indiana’s 51st lieutenant governor —By Jay A. Wood Public Relations Team Following the resignation of Sue Ellspermann, the General Assembly confirmed Governor Pence’s nomination of Eric Holcomb to serve as Indiana’s 51st lieutenant governor on March 2. Eric Holcomb is a graduate of Hannover College and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He served former Congressman John Hostettler from 1997 to 2003 in various roles, including field representative, campaign manager and district director. In 2003, he began serving former governor Mitch Daniels, who was then seeking office for the first time. Under Daniels, Holcomb served as deputy chief of staff, and he also managed the 2008 re-election campaign where Daniels received more votes than any candidate in Indiana history. Three years later, Holcomb was named chairman of the Indiana Republican Party, where he served from 2011

to 2013. In 2013, Holcomb stepped down as state party chairman to become chief of staff for Sen. Dan Coats. Indiana’s lieutenant governor serves as secretary of agriculture and president of the Senate. The LG also oversees: • The Office of Community and Rural Affairs. • The Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. • The Office of Tourism Development. • The Office of Energy and Defense Development. • The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. As the state’s premier general farm organization, Indiana Farm Bureau will have significant interaction with Holcomb in the areas of agriculture and rural affairs. INFB welcomes and looks forward to working with Holcomb, while also thanking former Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann for her service and wishing her well in all of her future endeavors.

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COMMUNICATION

Presidential tour of counties continues —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team Indiana Farm Bureau President Randy Kron is in the process of visiting all 92 county Farm Bureau presidents in Indiana – and you can follow along.

Photos from the project, which INFB staff have nicknamed “Randy Kron’s Tour de Counties,” can be found on INFB’s website, www.infarmbureau.org/infb/aboutus/tourcty. As of The Hoosier Farmer’s March 11 deadline, he’d

visited counties in all or part of Districts 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, and additional visits are planned in March. He will be taking a break for planting (his and other people’s) starting in April, but will pick up the tour again in the summer.

Jefferson County President Bob Kuppler during a March visit with INFB President Randy Kron.

Kron and Tipton County President Jenny Mundell during a visit in February.

MEMBER BENEFIT

Hands-on AITC workshop planned for April 28 —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team Ag in the Classroom volunteers can get some handson experience at a special workshop planned for April 28 from 4-8 p.m. at Dull’s Tree Farm, Thorntown. Julie Taylor, INFB’s education coordinator, said the

event “will basically be an activity-focused boot-camp.” “Attendees will have the chance to get some handson experience with a wide variety of activities perfect for using in the classroom, events or on the farm in an agritourism-type venture,” she said. Many AITC orientation

and training sessions tend to be heavy on information and show and tell, Taylor said, but this will go beyond that with lots of new ideas and hands-on experience. For more information, contact Taylor, 317-6927870, jtaylor@infb.org.

White-Reinhardt educator scholarships encourage agriculture literacy —From the AFBF Communications Department The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has recognized 11 educators – teachers and classroom volunteers – for their exceptional efforts to encourage agricultural literacy. The educators, including a volunteer from Indiana, will each receive $1,500 scholarships to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Litchfield Park, Arizona, June 20-24. The foundation, through the White-Reinhardt Fund for Education, sponsors the scholarships in cooperation with the American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee. Among this year’s recipi-

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ents is Marlene Fudge, Rush County Farm Bureau education and outreach coordinator. Educators nationwide attend the conference to learn to incorporate real-life agricultural applications into science, social studies, language arts, math and nutrition lessons. Scholarship recipients were judged on past use of innovative programs to educate students about agriculture as well as future plans to implement information gained at the AITC conference in their own lesson plans and share the information with other teacher and volunteer educators. The AITC conference brings together a diverse group of organizations and speakers to address how to improve agricultural educa-

tion and literacy, showcase successful programs and offer educational materials. The Agriculture Department coordinates the AITC program with the goal of helping students gain a greater awareness of the role of agriculture in the economy and society. The American Farm Bureau Federation and state Farm Bureaus also support and participate in the program’s efforts. The White-Reinhardt Fund for Education honors two former American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee chairwomen, Berta White and Linda Reinhardt, who were leaders in early national efforts to educate about agriculture and improve agricultural literacy.

Farm Bureau membership now includes savings on Cat® machines. Indiana Farm Bureau members

save up to $2,000 when buying or leasing a qualifying Cat® Backhoe Loader, Wheel Loader, Mini Hydraulic Excavator, Multi Terrain Loader, Skid Steer Loader, Compact Track Loader, Telehandler or Small Dozer. The discount can be combined with any current retail discounts, promotions, rebates or offers available through Caterpillar or its dealers, with the exception of other membership purchase incentives (excluding the NCBA membership incentive). Visit to fbadvantage.com/cat to print your Membership Verification Certificate. Must present certificate at time of purchase or lease quote to receive the discount.

March 21, 2016

AROUND INDIANA

Winners announced in two membership challenges —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team Increasing the number of voting members is one of Indiana Farm Bureau’s priorities, and attendees to the INFB Young Farmer Conference in January and the Spring Conference in March were given opportunities to help with this effort. At the Young Farmer Conference three members won prizes in the membership sweepstakes. Jeff Demerly of

White County won Indy 500 tickets, Jennifer Richter of Fulton County won a Longaberger basket, and Trey Downhour, also of Fulton County, received a Malibu picnic tote. At Spring Conference, Jonathan Shannon, Montgomery County, won a onenight stay at the French Lick Hotel; Patty Lange Fischer, Decatur County, won a Longaberger basket set; and Harold Kleine, Allen County, won a tool set.

FoodLink helps consumers understand Indiana food products —By Rachel Schrage Public Relations Team FoodLink, developed by Purdue Extension, is a tool to help consumers understand how to select, prepare and store more than 40 types of Indiana specialty products. The tool uses a series of QR codes to get information

into shoppers’ hands, either at the point of sale or in their kitchen at home. The FoodLink program is now rolling out to farmers markets, grocery stores and wholesalers across the state. If you sell at a farmers market, are a market master or own a grocery store, you can sign up to receive the FoodLink starter kit for free

by contacting Roy Ballard, rballard@purdue.edu. The kit includes a sign, product cards and a banner. There are plans for future expansion of the program. To see a full list of the products about which information is currently available, or for more information on the program, visit www.purdue.edu/foodlink.

THF2015

To make it easy for grassroots members to participate in Farm Bureau’s membership efforts, we include an application form in most issues of The Hoosier Farmer. Cut out the application form below or make copies and give them to new potential members. Remember to have them put your name in the membership volunteer box and then send it to the address printed along the bottom of the form. You can also have them visit INFB’s membership site, www.itpaystobeamember.org, to sign up online.

Ivy Tech to offer precision ag program —By Rachel Schrage Public Relations Team As a result of conversations with employers in the agriculture industry, Ivy Tech Terre Haute has started the process of creating a precision agriculture degree as part of its agriculture program. The new program, an associate degree in applied science in precision agriculture equipment technology, was approved in 2015. Graduates of the program will be prepared to work at an ag equipment dealership or as contract service

providers in the agriculture industry. “We sent out a survey to 362 ag equipment dealers when we started this process,” said John Rosene, Ivy Tech agriculture program chair. “Ninety percent of those dealerships currently need precision ag techs, and 87 percent plan to hire more. That is a pretty good indication of how rapidly the field is growing.” Students will work with state-of-the-art equipment representing all brands of precision ag technology in the school’s TechLAB and gain field experience in the

school’s research plot. Upon graduation, they will have a basic knowledge of crop production and specific training in electronics, hydraulics, guidance systems and application control. Currently, Ivy Tech is using a capital campaign to raise money for a complete renovation of the TechLAB. Anyone with questions about the campaign, or an interest in donating to help fund an overhaul of the facility, may contact Becky Miller at 812-298-2361 or rmiller@ivytech.edu.

Calendar of Events

March 22-24 INFB grassroots lobbying trip to Washington, D.C. 30 District 10 spring meeting, Brownstown. 31 District 1 spring meeting, Knox. April 2 4 4 5 6, 7 13, 14 23

March 21, 2016

INFB Leaders in Action session II, Rochester. Voter registration deadline for the May primary. District 4 spring meeting, Kokomo. Absentee/early voting begins. INFB Board of Directors meeting. INFB Women’s Leadership Committee meeting. Earth Day.