Indiana Corn & Soybean Post November 2023

Indiana Soybean Alliance, 8425 Keystone Crossing, Ste. 200, Indianapolis, IN 46240

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Fourth-generation farmers advocate for agriculture November 2023

CORN & SOYBEAN POST INDIANA

unitedsoybean.org

RESEARCHING A BETTER BEAN

Whether you’re dealing with drought, flood, heat or other climate-related stress, the soy checkoff is working behind the scenes to diversify U.S. soybean genetics and increase stress tolerance.

We’re looking inside the bean, beyond the bushel and around the world to keep preference for U.S. soy strong. And it’s helping make a valuable impact for soybean farmers like you.

See more ways the soy checkoff is maximizing profit opportunities for soybean farmers at unitedsoybean.org

Brought to you by the soy checkoff. ©2018 United Soybean Board. Our Soy Checkoff and the Our Soy Checkoff mark are trademarks of United Soybean Board. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

NOVEMBER 2023

| VOL. 16, NO. 4

Clean Fuels teaches Congressional staff about renewable diesel A recent tour hosted by Clean Fuels Foundation provided an opportunity to educate Congressional staff about the importance of continued growth in biodiesel and renewable diesel sectors.

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Chairman Mike Koehne, Greensburg / D4 Vice Chairman Kevin Cox, Brazil / D3 Secretary Joseph Stoller, Bremen / D1 Treasurer C.J. Chalfant, Hartford City / D2 Committee Chairs Keevin Lemenager, Monrovia / D4 Carey McKibben, LaGrange / D2 Denise Scarborough, LaCrosse / D1

U.S. soybean exports to Egypt aid poultry, aquaculture industries

Directors John Peters, Monticello / D1 Allen Buchanan, Fowler / D1 Dylan Christopher, Brookston / D1 Kevin Kelley, Brookston / D1 Steve Phares, Albion / D2 Jenna Scott, Muncie / D2 Brian Warpup, Warren / D2 Mark Wenning, Cambridge City / D2 Mark Legan, Coatesville / D3 Derika Lynam-Spaetti, Richland / D3 Gary McDaniel, Boonville / D3 Jason Misiniec, Bicknell / D3 Larry Rusch, Vincennes / D3 Jim Douglas, Flat Rock / D4 Roger Bommer, Brookville / D4 Kevin Burbrink, Seymour / D4 Anngie Steinbarger, Edinburgh / D4

Indiana Soybean Alliance farmer leaders and staff recently saw firsthand the ongoing efforts for U.S. soybeans in Egypt’s poultry and aquaculture industries.

30 Farmer-focused research at Purdue helps corn growers across Indiana Valuable and unbiased research is underway at Purdue University to provide Indiana corn farmers with the information needed to make timely decisions throughout the growing season.

38 Indiana corn checkoff gives grain bin safety training to rural firefighters ICMC partnered with insurance provider Nationwide through its Grain Bin Safety campaign to donate grain bin rescue tubes and training to several rural volunteer fire departments around Indiana.

President Scott Smith, Windfall / D5

Treasurer Tyler Everett, Lebanon / D7

Vice President Chris Cherry, New Palestine / D6

Directors Tom Murphy, Chesterton / D1 Joe Tuholski, LaPorte / D2 Mike Beard, Frankfort / D4 J.R. Roesner, Ferdinand / D8 Tyler Pottschmidt, Greensburg / D9

Secretary Sarah Delbecq, Auburn / D3

Staff Credits Editor / Dave Blower Jr. Writer / Amie Simpson Writer / Emma Hopkins-O’Brien Writer / Susan Hayhurst Creative Director / Carol Johnson Indiana Corn & Soybean Post® is published six times per year by the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Growers Association.

For address corrections contact: Indiana Corn & Soybean Post® 8425 Keystone Crossing, Suite 200 Indianapolis, IN 46240 Phone: 800-735-0195 or 317-614-0377 Email: dblower@indianasoybean.com

For advertising information in the Indiana Corn & Soybean Post®, contact Dave Blower Jr. at 317-3473620 or dblower@indianasoybean. com. Comments and statewide news articles should be sent to the above address. Advertising space reservations must be made by the first day of the month preceding publication. In consideration of the acceptance of the advertisement, the agency and the advertiser must, in respect of the contents of the advertisement, indemnify and save the publisher harmless against any expense arising from claims or actions against the publisher because of the publication of the content of the advertisement.

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44 About the cover: Phil and Cindy Ramsey have spent several decades growing a family and building a farm business. This passion for agriculture had led Phil to advocate for Hoosier farmers through work with the American Soybean Association. (Gina Wiseman photo).

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@Indiana_Soy @IN_Corn

NOVEMBER 2023

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COMMITTEE CHAIR’S REVIEW

Exceptional yields make global trade policy a priority issue Keevin Lemenager Chair ISA Membership and Policy Committee

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ike the many farmers across the state, I’m spending a lot of time in the combine this month trying to wrap up the harvest season. At the time of the printing of this magazine, harvest on our Morgan County farm is 90 percent complete. I’m reflecting on the ability of farms to endure an unpredictable growing season, make the most of whatever is thrown at them, and see their hard work pay off.

USDA wasn’t wrong when it projected in August that Indiana was going to have a record crop. Our area of the state has seen some exceptional yields. We’re seeing the impact of that with some elevators and on-farm storage being at, or near, capacity.

That’s one of the reasons why trade policy continues to be a priority issue. As farmers grow more crops, there is a need to expand global export opportunities for the state’s row-crop farmers through existing and new trade agreements.

The farm bill is also top of mind for me as the chair of the ISA Membership and Policy Committee (M&P). Our committee works to engage policymakers and advocate for Hoosier soybean growers’ farm bill priorities. On Tuesday, Nov. 14, Congress included a one-year extension to the 2018 Farm Bill as part of a Continuing Resolution to fund the government. That gives farmers some certainty going into next year, but we must continue to push for a reauthorization of a five-year bill.

Like many farmers around the state, I rely on crop insurance and am calling for an improved farm safety net in the upcoming bill. M&P members would like to see crop

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insurance remain affordable; Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) be improved; and an increased soy reference price with option for updating base acres.

On a more personal level, I wouldn’t have been able to continue farming after the drought in 2012 without crop insurance. At the time, I was 12 years into farming and didn’t have the resources and capital necessary to withstand something like that.

Crop insurance made it possible for me to continue farming.

I’m also reflecting on my experience as M&P chair. It has been a great experience to learn more about the regulations impacting Indiana farms, the lawmakers making these changes, and how board members can work to communicate priorities. I’ve learned how important it is to be aware of the ongoing policy debates, and how these policies could impact farmers.

I’m also looking forward to serving on American Soybean Association Board of Directors, which is comprised of member representatives from the 26 affiliated state soybean associations. ASA represents U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international policy issues important to the soybean industry. It’s especially critical to have a national advocate like ASA to lobby for pro-farmer policies as Congress continues shaping the next farm bill.

The M&P committee continues to advocate for the state’s farmers and stay in-the-know so they can focus on growing crops. Stay engaged with our organization by visiting www.incornandsoy.org/about-us/indiana-soybean-alliance/ about-isa.

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PRESIDENT’S REVIEW

Harvest provides a time to look back at the results of all our labor Scott Smith President Indiana Corn Growers Association

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here is no better time of the year than “harvest time.”

Then we roll from there into the holiday season – Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Despite the dropping temperatures, I look forward to time with family, friends and enjoying good food.

In the spring, you have the hope of another good crop, but there’s no guarantee that it will happen. Plus, spring usually includes the stress of getting the seed in the ground by a certain date. In the summer, farmers often worry if there will be enough rain or if we’ll have to battle insects, weeds or fungus – or all three.

In the fall, though, the results of all our labor wait in the field to be gleaned. This is my 50th harvest. There have been some lean years, of course; but overall, we’ve been blessed with good yields and great memories. Autumn is a good time for looking back and looking ahead.

As my time as President of the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) winds down at the end of this year, now is another time for assessment.

In the past couple of years, we have tackled many policy issues for Indiana’s farmers. We have worked hard to promote ethanol, which is a major driver of bushel prices for corn growers. ICGA worked with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and other state policy organizations to secure another temporary waiver for yearround sales of E15. We need to make year-round sales of E15 permanent, but I think we are taking steps in the right direction.

ICGA and NCGA have successfully campaigned to get the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to dispute Mexico’s ban on biotech corn. Mexico is a key market for U.S.-

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grown corn, and we need to keep it open. Mexico’s ban on biotech corn is not based in science. We don’t want to lose a large market due to poor public opinion or bad science.

We believe the USTR will be successful in striking down Mexico’s ban.

At the organizational level, ICGA has maintained its strong membership numbers, and we’ve added the option of lifetime membership – which is a true savings, especially for younger farmers. ICGA has emerged from the COVID-19 restrictions to host several events per year, such as Shop Talks with state and federal lawmakers, the Ag Policy Summit, the Bacon Bar and Brunch at the Indiana Statehouse.

Each of these events adhere to our goals of getting to know the decision-makers who affect farm policy and engaging Indiana farmers in those efforts.

There is still much to be done, though. Even though there is a proposed extension of the 2018 Farm Bill, we still don’t have the five-year legislation passed through Congress. Our representatives and senators need to understand that this bill is vital to farmers’ planning each year. We are working hard to make sure crop insurance protection and commonsense environmental policy is in the new bill.

I may no longer be the ICGA president, but I will remain on the board and advocate as strongly as ever.

Finally, I’d like to thank my fellow ICGA Board of Directors for making my two years in leadership such a pleasant experience. We are farmers who truly want the best for all of the state’s farmers.

Looking back at our successes is a good thing, but keeping an eye on the future is important, too. Thank you for walking with me, and “Keep the Faith.”

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As U.S. House elects new speaker, corn growers seek to pass a farm bill

BY BROOKE S. APPLETON Vice President of Public Policy, National Corn Growers Association The House of Representatives has a new speaker, a development with potentially large implications for farmers and advocates who have been eager for Congress to reauthorize the farm bill, particularly after the law expired in late September.

Thankfully, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has some history of being supportive of the agricultural community. His home district, in fact, has nearly 45,000 acres of corn.

Indeed, Speaker Johnson has historically aligned himself with several of the causes of corn growers and other farmers. He voted for the 2018 farm bill, and during the House process he voted against amendments that would cut crop insurance, repeal USDA biofuel and energy subsidy programs, and reform the sugar program. He also voted for an amendment to repeal burdensome regulations on the definition of navigable waters.

And as we celebrate a decision by the U.S. Department of Commerce to lower duties placed on phosphate fertilizers imported from Morocco from 19.7 percent to 2.12 percent (more on that story later in this column), it is important to remember that as a rank-andfile member of Congress, Speaker Johnson signed onto a letter to the agency advocating against the tariffs.

While having a speaker in place makes a comprehensive reauthorization of the farm bill far more promising, I don’t want to paint an overly rosy picture of all that is ahead. The new speaker has his work cut out for him. He has taken over a balkanized caucus that has been, as one member put it, duct-taped together. He will have to carefully navigate the intra-party fault lines while

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ensuring every member of his caucus feels like they are being heard. The House Republican majority still stands at a razor thin margin and the Senate is still in Democratic control.

And as if his job weren’t hard enough, he is currently operating under House rules that allow for a sole member of the House to vacate the speakership, a rule that led to the downfall of his predecessor Speaker Emeritus Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

In this environment, corn growers and our allies can be cautiously optimistic about the new speaker while continuing to do our due diligence with the various factions within the Republican Party as well as members of the Democratic Party. We need to share the benefits of the farm bill and how those benefits align with a crosssection of values and philosophies.

Earlier this summer, we launched a digital campaign that featured a series of videos in which growers talk about their farm bill priorities and how they are important to rural communities and the national economy. The videos, which addressed many of the priorities of key policymakers, were digitally targeted to a Capitol Hill audience.

Of course, this work builds upon one-on-one meetings between policymakers and corn grower leaders and advocates. We continue to work with our friends in Congress while simultaneously building relationships with new policymakers.

That’s because, when policymakers truly understand the contributions of growers and put faces to the requests, it is easy for them to get behind the farm bill.

As the calendar year winds down, we all need to continue to make our voices heard. To keep track of our priorities and advocacy efforts, you can sign up for our action alerts by texting COB to 52886.

Here’s to being flexible in the face of change. Here’s to passing a comprehensive, bipartisan farm bill as soon as possible.

Duties on phosphate fertilizers lowered On Nov. 2, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced it was lowering duties placed on phosphate fertilizers imported from Morocco by more than 17 percent. The decision followed the agency’s administrative review of the duties, which is performed annually by retroactively examining the price of shipments and other factors. NCGA has been a loud opponent of the duties and applauded the decision.

“This victory was made possible by corn growers across the country who spoke out against these duties as they faced skyrocketing fertilizer prices and product shortages at the behest of The Mosaic Company,” said NCGA President Harold Wolle. “While the best duty on fertilizers is no duty at all, we are nonetheless thrilled that corn growers bearing the brunt of these tariffs will feel financial relief thanks to this decision.”

The issue stems from a decision by Commerce in 2020 that favored a petition by U.S.-based Mosaic to impose duties on phosphate fertilizers imported from Morocco and Russia. Mosaic had claimed that unfairly subsidized

foreign companies were flooding the U.S. market with fertilizers and selling the products at extremely low prices.

Soon after the decision, NCGA launched an aggressive campaign that called on Commerce to reverse the decision and for Mosaic to withdraw its request for tariffs.

During the past three years, NCGA has led the charge to raise concerns by filing an amicus brief, sending a letter to the White House, and informing Members of Congress about the impact.

In October, NCGA – along with 62 other agricultural groups, including state corn grower organizations – sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo calling on her to consider the current difficulties faced by farmers as she recalculates duties on phosphate fertilizer imported from Morocco. That letter and previous actions by corn growers culminated in the change.

In a separate issue, in September, Commerce was ordered by the U.S. Court of International Trade to reconsider the duty rate calculation because of flaws found in Commerce’s analysis. A decision on that matter is expected on Dec. 13.

NOVEMBER 2023

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2018 Farm Bill extension would ensure continuation of essential programs

BY BLAIR SHIPP State Policy Communications Coordinator, American Soybean Association In Washington, D.C., this fall has proven to be quite eventful.

The conclusion of a tumultuous U.S. House Speaker race in late October has now shifted attention to the looming possibility of another government shutdown.

As Congressional leaders diligently strive to finalize a stopgap spending bill by Nov. 17, the American Soybean Association (ASA) remains optimistic about advancing key bills, such as appropriations, the farm bill and other vital priorities for the soybean industry.

On Nov. 11, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) unveiled the House Republicans’ plan to prolong government spending beyond Nov. 17. The proposal also includes an extension of the farm bill through September 2024.

If approved by Congress, this extension would guarantee the continuation of vital programs, such as Agriculture Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage and Dairy Margin Coverage, ensuring their effectiveness for the 2024 crop year.

“As negotiations on government funding advance, we successfully collaborated to prevent a funding lapse for crucial agricultural programs, offering assurance to producers. It is essential to clarify that this extension does not serve as a substitute for passing a comprehensive five-year farm bill. We remain steadfast in our commitment to work collaboratively to achieve this goal in the coming year,” stated the four leaders of the House and Senate Agricultural Committees in response to Speaker Johnson’s announcement.

Protecting crop protection Agricultural groups celebrated a significant victory on Nov. 2 following the decision by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. The ruling overturns the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ban on chlorpyrifos, a vital

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pesticide for crop protection. The ban had faced scrutiny for disregarding the findings of EPA scientists. This decision reinstates the use of chlorpyrifos in agriculture.

In February 2022, agricultural groups took action by filing a lawsuit against EPA to restore farmers’ access to chlorpyrifos. They cited the EPA’s records, which identified at least 11 low-risk, high-benefit agricultural applications of chlorpyrifos that can be safely maintained.

Growers are eagerly anticipating the return of chlorpyrifos for the 2024 growing season. The absence of this crucial tool in 2022 and 2023 forced many producers to increase their pesticide usage to manage the growing pest populations. For some farmers, this was the only effective tool to protect their crops from economically damaging pests.

In October, ASA spearheaded a coalition of 226 agricultural groups to strongly oppose the EPA’s proposed herbicide strategy under the Endangered Species Act. The groups, in a letter to the agency, expressed deep concern over the potential negative impacts on U.S. agricultural production and conservation efforts. They emphasized the proposal’s complexity, costliness, and onerous nature, highlighting the risks to farmers’ tools for crop protection and conservation practices.

ASA submitted comments urging the EPA to abandon the proposal, asserting its fundamental flaws. Additionally, nearly 1,500 farmers, ranchers, and pesticide applicators voiced concerns in a separate letter, citing the proposal’s complexity, financial burden, and potential threats to herbicide access, impacting both their businesses and environmental practices.

Sustainable aviation fuel U.S. Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) and a bipartisan group of representatives have introduced the Farm to Fly Act, aiming to create new markets for American agricultural products and strengthen domestic energy resources. The bill focuses on fostering the

development of sustainable aviation fuel within existing USDA programs, ensuring clarity in eligibility criteria, and promoting collaboration.

Miller highlights the act’s significance in providing farmers access to new markets, driving rural economic development, and strengthening domestic energy.

Specifically, the Farm to Fly Act aims to clarify eligibility for SAF within USDA Energy Programs, encourage collaboration in agency mission areas, and establish a common definition of SAF for effective contributions from U.S. crops. The legislation aligns with the aviation industry’s commitment to transitioning to sustainable fuels and addresses the growing demand for SAF. ASA strongly endorses the Farm to Fly Act, recognizing its potential to align with broader environmental goals and contribute to the growth of sustainable aviation fuel production.

Phosphate duties slashed Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced a significant reduction in duties on phosphate fertilizers imported from Morocco, decreasing them significantly from 19.97 percent to just 2.12 percent.

This issue traces back to a Commerce Department decision in 2020 that favored a petition by the U.S.based Mosaic company to impose duties on phosphate

fertilizers imported from Morocco and Russia. Mosaic contended that unfairly subsidized foreign companies were inundating the U.S. market with fertilizers, selling them at exceptionally low prices.

ASA took action in March 2021, filing comments with the International Trade Commission to oppose duties being placed on phosphate imports from Morocco and Russia. These comments were submitted in collaboration with the National Corn Growers Association and the National Cotton Council.

In response to these duties, ASA led other grower groups in an amicus brief to the Court of International Trade, requesting the CIT remand the duties on phosphate imports from Morocco back to ITC and Commerce for recalculation. That suit was remanded earlier this fall, and ASA awaits that reevaluation later this year.

In October, ASA along with its 26 affiliated state soybean associations, including Indiana Soybean Alliance, united with fellow stakeholders in U.S. agriculture to voice concerns regarding the impact of phosphate fertilizer duties. In a letter addressed to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, these organizations underscored the necessity of reevaluating of these duties, emphasizing their broader implications for American farmers.

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11/2/23 3:15 PM

NOVEMBER 2023

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Koester reflects on being the 2023-2024 Soy Scholarship award recipient

BY AMIE SIMPSON

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eagan Koester, a Purdue University freshman She has been president of seven different majoring in agribusiness, is grateful the American organizations and served as the Indiana 4-H State Soybean Association (ASA) and BASF Corporation Ambassador, representing over 130,000 youth in the invested in her future through the 2023-2024 Soy state. She is also the founder of three original service Scholarship. The $7,000 scholarship, managed by ASA projects where she’s been able to make a difference at and made possible through a grant by BASF, is awarded the local and state level. to a high school senior who plans to pursue a degree “What’s important to me is not only making that direct in an agriculture-related field at an impact through the service work that accredited college or university. we do, but really trying to get other “The best word to sum up my youth involved so they find that passion. feelings about receiving the We’re giving back and sparking that scholarship is, ‘excited,’” she said. “I community service gene within others,” want to make a difference with my she says. “Overall, those experiences future and so I’m thankful they put that have definitely prepared me for my investment in me so that I can go to freshman year at Purdue and it’s been college, be a sponge, learn everything fun to kind of start over again and get I can, and come out on the other involved in different organizations here side able to help make a difference on campus and really ignite a passion in the agriculture industry. The for agriculture in others.” scholarship made me more passionate Although Koester is open-minded about agriculture and it was a great about future career paths, she is experience.” interested in attending law school and Reagan Koester She says she’s also grateful for going into a career in estate planning her parents, Dale and Lisa Koester, for the support and for farms and small agribusinesses. She was inspired by guidance they’ve provided her while growing up. the difference her family’s estate planning lawyer made The Wadesville, Indiana native is on a mission to be on the farm and the generational transfer of the business as well-rounded as possible. She credits growing up when her grandmother passed away. on a robotic milking dairy and grain farm for her work “We are very fortunate that our family came out of ethic and her interest in getting involved in various work that experience closer than ever before. I know for a experiences and leadership opportunities and becoming lot of families sometimes that isn’t the case and so, as a social entrepreneur. someone who is a family-oriented person, I would really Her work experience includes writing for the Posey love to help connect families in that regard. It’s a niche County News, organizing tours of her family’s farm and that not everyone understands how things can be fair working for a photography business. and not equal and playing that role out.”

“What’s important to me is not only making that direct impact through the service work that we do, but really trying to get other youth involved so they find that passion. We’re giving back and sparking that community service gene within others.”

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She encourages high school seniors considering a career in agriculture to apply for the Soy Scholarship.

Other advice she has is, “once you find your passion, don’t let your age play a factor in your ability to make a difference because no matter if you make a small impact or a large-scale impact, everything will work together and eventually cause a change or an improvement within the industry. Try to make a difference in the place that you are in now and because life truly is about serving others and wanting to make a difference. Although you’re in high school, you still can make an impact for change.”

The deadline for school seniors to apply online is Dec. 31. The scholarship is awarded in $3,500 increments, one per semester, for the 20242025 school year. The student must be a child or grandchild of a current state soybean association/ ASA member, maintain successful academic progress, and remain in good standing with the college or university to receive the full amount of the scholarship. Apply at https://americansoybean.wufoo. com/forms/asa-soy-scholarship-application-202425/.

Reagan Koester talks to third graders about dairy cows at the North Posey FFA petting zoo.

Take action to help Hoosier farmers Become a lifetime member of Indiana’s corn and soybean policy groups The Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership & Policy Committee (M&P) represent our state’s farmers in the legislative halls in Indianapolis and Washington, D.C. These organizations need your membership to influence federal and state lawmakers.

Indiana soybean and corn growers can now save money and eliminate the hassle of annual renewals by purchasing a LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP to both ICGA and M&P. For only $1,700, you can be a member of both ICGA and M&P for life!

Anyone interested in buying this membership, should contact Industry Affairs Outreach Manager Khyla Goodman by phone at 317-614-0377 or by email at goodman@indianasoybean.com. Or, you can go to our website, www.indianasoybean.com/ memberships, to join!

Lifetime Members: Phil Ramsey Courtney Kingery Matthew Lucas Tyler Everett David Gottbrath Mike Sprinkle Jeff Troike Jim Douglas

Michael Steinbarger Sam Caldwell Mark Nigh Alan Dunn Mason Gick Aaron Johnson Nathan Luallen Sam Mehringer

David Wenning Mark Wenning Creed Gunn Andrew Fansler Kent Burton Russell Anderson

Mark Wenning Cambridge City, Ind., farmer “The lifetime membership is a great way to support ag advocacy efforts in Indiana and nationally as well as being a good value especially for young farmers.”

NOVEMBER 2023

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Lamb: Many reasons caused the transition from farm to office

BY DON LAMB, DIRECTOR, Indiana State Department of Agriculture

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armers have one of the greatest jobs in the world: Sowing seeds and tending a growing crop, family traditions, working side by side with those you love, no CEO or board of directors to answer to, spending each day out and about on God’s green earth.

So, why would I leave my family farm to drive, every day, 40 miles to downtown Indianapolis, sit in an office with windows that don’t open, in a suit, to report to the Governor, Lt. Governor and 6.8 million Hoosiers?

Well … I’ll tell you why.

As director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) I get to understand and fight for foreign trade like I never have before I get to work alongside diplomats from across the globe and other “me’s” of nearly each state. I travel across Indiana and experience every asset of agriculture that I have the honor of advocating for. I have had the opportunity to meet regularly with many of the movers and shakers in the Indiana agriculture space and discuss solutions to the issues facing our industry. I spent

every single day of the Great Indiana State Fair inside the historic Normandy barn and around the fairgrounds as we put agriculture on the center stage.

I have connected with folks I haven’t seen in years and, along with our ISDA staff, work each day to truly make Indiana agriculture the best it can be.

But that doesn’t come without challenges. Leaving our family farming operation was hard, it was truly a family decision that all of us prayed over. Getting a call from the former director of ISDA seeking my opinion of the role, then later receiving a call from Gov. Eric Holcomb and meeting with him was a surreal experience.

Of course, I wanted to say “YES!” right away, but I quickly began logistically thinking of how I would leave my day-today duties on the farm. We made the decision as a family that I would take on this role, and we thought through, along with my family and talented employees, what was needed for the farm to continue with my absence. At the time I truly thought I could do both, part time farmer and full-time state

A second-generation farmer in Boone County, Ind., Don Lamb and his wife, Jodie, are strongly connected to their farm. The Lambs have four daughters and one granddaughter. Lamb’s main priorities at ISDA are to lead the agency’s five divisions: Agricultural Advocacy, Economic Development, Youth Development, Environmental Stewardship and the Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency.

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ISDA Director Don Lamb said he has had the benefit of meeting agricultural leaders from across the state and around the country during the past year.

employee. However, I’ve learned over the last year, my hours spent in the tractor and combine have become fewer and farther between. I have learned that balancing two careers is difficult and at times, something has to give. So, for me, at this stage of my life, that’s farming.

But, at the same time, I get to experience so much beyond my own knowledge of corn, soybeans and wheat. Last week I was at the Shipshewana Livestock Auction and at an agritourism destination learning how we can better support them. Before that I was in Wyoming meeting all the other state departments of agriculture and learning from them.

Next month I will travel to the U.K. to work on getting our safe, American products into their markets. But I couldn’t do any of this without my family’s support and the support of our ISDA staff.

The ISDA staff are some of the most dedicated, hardworking people I have ever known; and sadly as a farmer, I didn’t know they existed or what their function was.

They fight for policies that support agriculture, they walk fields and consult with farmers and landowners to help implement meaningful soil conservation practices.

They solicit and administer federal grants for funds that trickle down to the farm level. They are cultivating Indiana’s next generation of agriculturists through the Indiana FFA Association and so much more.

Without this role, I never would have known who they are or what they do. I am incredibly proud of the work they do each day. I want to shout from the rooftops all they do for Indiana agriculture.

That’s why I left my farm for an office in downtown Indianapolis. It’s why I wear a suit each day and it’s why I happily answer to any of the 6.8 million people who live in our great state and the producers who feed and fuel them.

I am certain one day I will be back on the farm and back in the cab; but for now, it is my greatest honor to serve Indiana agriculture.

Sustainable solutions for

sustainable profits.

Green initiatives should not add red to the balance sheet. At ADS, better for the environment means better for business. That’s why we‘ve worked diligently to engineer recycled products and innovative water management solutions to improve yields and keep families farming for generations.

Higher Yields • Increased Farmable Acres

SEE WHY

our commitment to sustainability is always worth the work.

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Indiana Broadband Office administers federally funded BEAD program

BY IBO STAFF

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Volume I is available for public he Indiana Broadband Office review and comment until Nov. 6, (IBO) was created to assist and we encourage you to email residents in need of affordable ibopubliccomment@iot.in.gov with and reliable broadband connectivity. any input.

We are currently administering the Additionally, the IBO will administer the Digital Equity Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Grant Program. The Digital Equity program focuses program. BEAD is a federally funded program with on providing community organizations resources for the goal of connecting unserved and underserved digital literacy programs. The projects aim to assist rural locations in the United States to high-speed, reliable and inhabitants, low-income households, aging populations, affordable broadband. veterans, minority groups, and people with language Indiana received $868 million from the BEAD barriers with program and will broadband. use these funds for These significant broadband programs will infrastructure help communities deployment. understand how to BEAD prioritizes use broadband for deploying fiber not only professional internet access to uses but telehealth, underserved and remote working and unserved locations. As schooling and social farmers try to achieve connections. higher yields, better We would love to data collection, lower hear from farmers environmental impact and agricultural and maximum profits, professionals about connection to the how broadband internet is becoming As farmers try to achieve higher yields, better data collection, lower programs affect their increasingly environmental impact and maximum profits, connection to the internet is communities. We necessary. becoming increasingly necessary. are traveling around These Indiana for six listening sessions in November to review technologies, that improve precision in the fields, rely on the IP with the public, and receive comments, feedback, broadband to connect our Hoosier farmers. The internet and questions from participants. service providers will connect rural and previously hard We are hosting listening sessions in Dubois, Ripley, to reach areas to provide robust service through BEAD Randolph, Jasper, Montgomery, and Allen County. Even funds. if you do not live in one of these counties, we encourage Right now, our office is writing the Initial Proposal you to come to any date and time that work best for you.

(IP) for BEAD to submit to the federal government. This For those with questions or comments, contact us at proposal includes how Indiana will identify broadband For additional information, visit our website at serviceable locations and how these funds will be www.in.gov/indianabroadband deployed across the state through subgrants to internet The Listening Session schedule can be found at www. service providers. We are currently in our public eventbrite.com/o/indiana-broadband-office-65443861573 comment period for Volume I of the Initial Proposal.

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INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST

IDEM works to ensure Hoosier farms comply with state, federal guidelines

BY IDEM STAFF

T

Assistance Program (CTAP). CTAP’s nine staff he Indiana Department of Environmental members across the state offer free, confidential Management (IDEM) is a cornerstone when compliance assistance to Indiana’s regulated it comes to implementing environmentally entities to maintain compliance as well as benefit sound policies that protect the environment and from technical support for implementing pollution human health. prevention efforts.

In 1985, the Indiana General Assembly IDEM is responsible for issuing air, water and reorganized the state environmental programs hazardous waste permits that ensure discharges are previously implemented by the Indiana State Board of at environmentally safe levels for Hoosiers across the Health and enforced under the direction and authority state. Through the offices of Air, Land and Water Quality, of the Environmental Management Board, the Stream agency staff work diligently to inspect and monitor sites to Pollution Control Board and the Air Pollution Control Board. ensure compliance is being maintained by the regulated IDEM began operating in July 1986. community.

IDEM recognizes the importance of the agricultural Under federal law, the U.S. Environmental Protection industry in Indiana. Indiana is a proud home to more Agency (EPA) delegated authority to IDEM to administer than 55,000 farming operations, which provide a vital certain federal environmental programs. Every two years, agricultural base for Hoosiers and contributes roughly both agencies negotiate a Performance Partnership $35 billion to the state’s economy. Partnerships between Agreement (PPA) that identifies not only IDEM’s priorities, the agency and the ag industry allow for a prosperous but joint priorities with U.S. EPA and objectives between business climate while protecting Indiana’s natural the two agencies. The PPA helps to direct federal resources. resources toward the state’s most pressing environmental IDEM works hand-in-hand with agricultural producers issues. to ensure their operations fall within state and federal Currently, IDEM is seeking Hoosiers’ input in a crucial guidelines. discussion on optimizing the utilization of federal grant The agency’s dedicated agricultural liaison provides funding. The agency essential support and was awarded $3 million guidance to industry in initial planning to professionals. conduct greenhouse The agricultural gas emissions liaison also assists inventory and develop farmers in adopting a Priority Climate individualized Action Plan. methods and IDEM recognizes the technologies that importance of gathprovide sustainable ering diverse practices within the perspectives and agricultural sector. innovative ideas In addition to for our future. the agricultural Farmers can get liaison, IDEM’s more information and Office of Program IDEM seeks Hoosiers’ input in a crucial discussion on optimizing the provide feedback by Support hosts utilization of federal grant funding. The agency was awarded $3 million in November 29th at the Compliance initial planning to conduct greenhouse gas emissions inventory and develop a Priority Climate Action Plan. on.in.gov/cprg & Technical

NOVEMBER 2023

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Bucshon: Policies should uphold values, traditions of rural America

BY U.S. REP. LARRY BUCSHON Republican Party, Indiana District 8 Growing up in a rural town of 1,400 people in the Midwest, I witnessed first-hand the importance of agriculture to the local community. My smalltown upbringing has guided me to pursue policies that not only support and strengthen America’s agricultural industry but also uphold the values and traditions of rural America.

Hoosier farmers are critical to Indiana and our nation’s economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in food and agricultural economic output. In Congress, I am proud to stand strong with our farmers, ranchers and rural communities across the state and will continue to advocate for legislation that provides support and certainty.

As you know, legislation known as the “farm bill” authorizes and governs several major food and agricultural programs. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the most recent farm bill, contained 12 titles with provisions relating to crop insurance, nutrition programs, authorizations of U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, and numerous other issues.

The Agriculture Improvement Act provisions were enacted

for five years, meaning another farm bill must be passed to continue these important programs.

This summer, I joined the entire Indiana House Delegation in sending a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee outlining important priorities for Hoosier farmers in the upcoming farm bill reauthorization.

These include funding for crop insurance and commodity programs as part of a strong farm safety net, as well as keeping programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) together with farm programs in a unified farm bill. We also advocated for keeping federal conservation programs voluntary and funding Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) prevention, the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development.

A strong farm bill is critical in allowing Indiana’s farmers to continue to produce safe and affordable agricultural products for the United States and the rest of the world.

My priority is to listen to the needs of Hoosiers, focusing on ways to champion common-sense legislation that promotes rural development while mitigating foreign influence by our adversaries as well as bureaucratic red tape. Agriculture is truly the backbone of Indiana, and it’s an honor to represent Hoosier agriculture priorities in our nation’s capital.

Several Indiana soybean farmers meet with U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon at his Washington, D.C. office to discuss farm policy issues.

U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-Dist. 8) talks with Terre Haute-area farmers during a Coffee Shop Talk presented by the Indiana Corn Growers Association and the Indiana Soybean Alliance Membership & Policy Committee.

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Braun: Congress expected to pass a farm bill in excess of $1 trillion

BY U.S. SEN. MIKE BRAUN Republican Party, Indiana to WOTUS (Waters of the U.S.). Earlier this year, I led the I’d like to give you an update on entire Indiana Republican Congressional delegation farm bill negotiations in the U.S. in calling on the EPA to give farmers clarity on how to Senate and some legislation I’ve implement the new WOTUS rule. been working on for farmers.

I also introduced the Increased Technical Service I’ve been involved with farming Providers (TSP) Access Act, and the American Farmers nearly all my life, both in tree and Feed the World Act, which would make sure that federal row-crop farming. I know agriculture international food aid programs are buying Americannot just as someone who talks to a grown commodities. lot of farmers, but someone who has I also introduced a bipartisan bill to stop our foreign done it myself. adversaries from buying up American farmland. We This will be the first time Congress will pass a farm bill can’t jeopardize our food supply chain by allowing our in excess of $1 trillion. According to the Congressional adversaries to buy up America acre by acre.

Budget Office’s baseline, the bill will be nearly $1.5 trillion In October, I completed my fifth annual tour of all 92 – about twice the cost of the 2018 Farm Bill.

Indiana counties. In counties up and down the state, I Eighty-five percent of that will be the Nutrition Title. The meet with Hoosier farmers to bring their perspective to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has the Senate. grown much bigger because of the Biden administration’s Hoosiers sent me there because they wanted someone recalculation of the Thrifty Food Plan. Those refrom outside the political system to represent them. If I evaluations typically adjust a “market basket” for inflation, can ever be of assistance to you, I hope you’ll reach out to but Biden’s USDA went against the 2018 Farm Bill’s intent and unilaterally increased the cost of SNAP. my office and make your voice heard.

I think we need a lot more “farm” in the farm bill.

Only about 10 percent goes to farmers through commodity support programs and crop insurance. Five percent goes to conservation.

Congress does all of its budgeting through giant “omnibus” spending packages that borrow trillions of dollars at a time. The farm bill, which is a rare spot of bipartisanship in this place, shouldn’t become one of those bills that people load up with extraneous spending. It needs a lot more for farmers.

Ranking Member Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) is leading on the Ag Committee to make sure the farm bill continues to provide a safety net for farmers in these uncertain times, and I support his leadership.

I’ve been proud to introduce a few pieces of legislation you may be interested in, including the Farmer-Informed WOTUS Act U.S. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) poses in front of the antique tractor display at the to give farmers a seat at the table when EPA Indiana State Fairgrounds during the State Fair. decides what makes a body of water subject

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Phil and Cindy Ramsey were the proud grandparents of 12 consecutive granddaughters. Then, on Halloween 2022, their first grandson was born. The Ramseys raised a daughter and three sons on their farm, and they are happy to live and work with their children and grandchildren. (Gina Wiseman photo)

Love for agriculture deeply embedded in Phil Ramsey, his family and their land

BY DAVE BLOWER JR.

T

he genetic trait that leads someone to become a farmer is firmly embedded in the Ramsey family. A fourth-generation farmer on the land his family has owned since 1864, Phil Ramsey is the property’s current caretaker. He and his wife, Cindy, are proud of that role, and they are pleased to work with the fifth generation. And perhaps, the sixth isn’t too far away.

The Ramseys have worked the soil of their Shelby County, Ind., farm for more than 40 years. They have raised a daughter and three sons there. And those children have given the Ramseys 12 granddaughters – yes 12. And on

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Halloween 2022, a popular grandson was born.

This connection between family and the land was instilled in Ramsey at an early age.

“My grandpa farmed with horses, and my dad farmed with horses and an old Farmall,” Ramsey said. “Later, my dad bought an 8N Ford tractor. He was extremely proud of that tractor. When I first started driving a tractor, I was probably 5 or 6 years old, and it was on that 8N Ford. My dad took me to the field with a rotary hoe – a two-row, rotary hoe – and he said, ‘this field is your job today.’ I didn’t have the choice to get bored or to decide to do something else. I was on

that tractor for the day, going back and forth in that field.

And I loved it. And that’s where I got the love for farming – right there when I was only 5 or 6 years old.”

Ramsey gets a particular gleam in his eye and a smile creases his face as he recalls the equipment his family has used and the crops they’ve produced through the years.

“I remember the pull-type combine dad had for a while, and then the first self-propelled combine with no cab on it.

Dad was so proud of that combine,” he remembered. “That same year, Dad bought an Allis Chalmers 190 XT tractor.

That’s what I grew up on; clear up through the 1970s. The combine got a little bigger, but he still had the same 190XT. I can remember being a teenager, sitting on that tractor, which was a 100-horsepower tractor, thinking about dad.

He farmed with horses and then a 25- or 30-horsepower tractor. I was thinking, ‘I missed everything. Equipment is as big as it’s ever going to get. I missed all that rapid growth of tractors and combines.’

“But now, I look back at the way farming has progressed in the last 40 years, and it’s just amazing. The technology and the equipment and what we’re able to produce now compared to before – Dad never would’ve believed it.

Everything is better: How we understand the plants; how to fertilize them; the chemicals we use to control the weeds and the pests – it’s all better. Then you throw in the technology of GPS, the satellites and now we have recordkeeping to every square inch in our fields. Farming has been an amazing ride up to this point.”

The Phil Ramsey era begins Phil and Cindy were married the spring after they graduated from high school in the late 1970s. They knew they wanted to farm. They started with 80 acres and 80 sows on a hog farm.

“And I did a terrible job raising pigs,” Ramsey said, smiling.

He said they struggled, but they worked hard. “Cindy was my right-hand man, you might say,” Phil said. “She drove the tractors and did the tillage. She was right out there with me.”

Cindy didn’t originally plan to work on a farm. “I had no desire to be on the farm prior to meeting Phil,” she said.

“That wasn’t even on my radar, at all. But I had no problem working side-by-side with him.”

But farm work comes with risks, too.

“A few days before our wedding, I learned a really hard lesson,” Cindy said. “I was helping Phil put nitrogen on, and I put my hand in the wrong spot of a spring hitch. I was helping him hook up to the next tank, and my hand got in there and it got squished. So for our wedding pictures, you don’t see my left side. Phil’s hand is covering my left hand.

I was able to put the ring on; it wasn’t terribly swollen. But there was damage here and there. It didn’t look good.”

After years of effort and working off-farm jobs, they just didn’t have enough to make a farm business work on their own. Then, they found an opportunity to buy a farm

Phil and Cindy Ramsey were married in the late 1970s and have lived most of their lives on this Shelby County farm.

on contract and rent in Missouri. Phil talked to his parents about the Missouri farm’s potential. The next morning, Phil’s father decided to retire from farming and offered to rent the farm to his son.

“I was surprised,” Phil admitted. “The previous couple years I thought that something like that might happen because I was basically doing most of the work physical work, anyway. We were surprised with the sudden decision because that wasn’t necessarily how Dad worked. We were excited because now we had something that was more certain. If we went to Missouri, we would not have been as certain that we would have succeeded.”

The Ramseys still had to earn everything on the farm.

“When Dad retired, he didn’t give me anything,” Phil recalled. “I bought his equipment at a full price. What Dad did give us was a golden opportunity to stay here on the farm and to grow our family and our business. And so, it was a very good thing.”

Cindy fondly remembers her in-laws and their kindness.

“I had a great mother-in-law and father-in-law,” Cindy said.

“I would not have traded them for the world. I took care of them until their last day. They were great people. My mother-in-law taught me many things that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Advocating for the future Now Phil and Cindy are the patriarchs of the family and happy to work closely with their children. Their oldest child, Julia, works in the medical field. Their oldest son, John, is a paramedic. Although Julia and John do not work on the farm, they live nearby and are involved in family life.

The younger two sons, James and Joey, are partners with Phil and Cindy in the farming operation. James also runs the drainage and excavating business. Joey takes care of the grain facility and fertilizer application. But the family works together. And Phil has been a Beck’s Hybrids seed

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collectively and individually. Collectively, farmers can affect policy by belonging to large agricultural groups such as ASA or M&P. These groups have resources to connect with state and federal lawmakers and their staffs when policy issues arise.

“We can make a difference,” Phil said. “More voices do make a difference when we go to the Indiana Statehouse or to Washington D.C. We need voices, and we need members.

“We need the backing of farmers to become members of the policy organizations because the policies we’re engaged in will affect all of us in agriculture. Becoming a financially supporting member is important no matter how involved you become.”

Phil Ramsey has a fondness for antique farm equipment and plans to Individually, Phil said, representatives house several pieces in a shed on his farm. (Amy Kelley photo) and senators will remember the names of the farmers they visit. Phil has hosted several salesman for many decades. Nevertheless, at the heart of it lawmakers on his farm including U.S. Sen. Mike Braun all is the farm. And it’s Phil’s heart for his own farm, his family (R-Ind.) and U.S. Rep. Greg Pence (R-Dist. 6), among and the hundreds of farmers that he knows that drives him others. He said lawmakers will remember visiting his farm. to volunteer for pro-ag advocacy work.

Additionally, his work with ASA allows him to visit federal When Phil was first elected to the Indiana Soybean lawmakers on Capitol Hill in D.C. Alliance (ISA) Board of Directors in 2016, he thought he “That’s our opportunity to start talking to (legislators) would spend most of his time working on checkoff projects and becoming friends with them,” Phil explained. “The No. such as expanding consumer availability for biodiesel, or 1 thing you should do is to make a friend of a senator or finding new export markets for U.S. soybeans, or funding a representative or their staff. The more they know you, Purdue University researchers creating new products with the more you’re able to influence the people making the soy ingredients. And he believes Hoosier farmers continue decisions in D.C. It’s important to keep our presence there to find value in each of these pursuits. and stay in front of our legislators and their staff.”

However, eight years ago, Phil underestimated the 12 granddaughters, 1 grandson value of policy and advocacy work by ISA’s Membership and Policy Committee (M&P) and the American Soybean As Ramsey’s father and grandfather were important to Association (ASA). “At the time, I thought, ‘I’m only one him, he has a sense of pride in his adult children, enjoys farmer. What kind of impact can one farmer have on working on the farm with his sons, and watching his policy?’” he asked. grandchildren grow.

As it turns out, he said, farmers can have an impact both The Ramseys raised a daughter and three sons.

A farmer at heart, Phil Ramsey said he is pleased when the planning and decision-making is finished. He enjoys time in the tractor planting a new crop. (Dave Blower Jr. photo)

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Phil Ramsey is a fourth-generation farmer and is proud to work the land that has been in his family since 1864.

Not putting too much thought into the gender of their grandchildren, they expected they would have a mix of granddaughters and grandsons. Their first-born grandchild was a girl. And the second was a girl; and the third was a girl; and the fourth was a girl; and the fifth – well, you get the idea. The Ramseys happily welcomed the birth of 12 consecutive granddaughters – until Halloween 2022 when Baby Phil joined the family. Cindy knew a grandson was coming, due in part to a unique gender reveal party organized by her daughter, Julia.

“We didn’t think we would ever have a grandson,” Cindy admitted. “When they did the gender reveal party, all of the grandkids were supposed to be in white T-shirts. There were squirt guns filled with paint by my daughter, who had all of the inside information. I’m standing by my daughter when the first squirt gun is shot; and I’m like, ‘That’s purple.

You know that purple means nothing, right?’ And my daughter said, ‘Just like be patient, Mom.’ The next one was orange. I looked at Julia and said, “Did you fill any of these squirt guns with pink or blue?’ She said, ‘Just be patient, Mom.’ And then the next one was blue. I said, That’s blue!’

She said, ‘Yeah, Mom, it’s blue.’ I said, ‘We don’t have blue.

We have pink.’ And I just burst into tears. That’s blue. We’ve never had blue before!”

Phil added, “Yeah, it was a big deal. And it was an equally big deal when they decided to name him after me. That was pretty special.”

Although they’re not pushing the subject, the Ramseys are open to one of the 13 grandkids taking over the family farm someday.

“If they have an interest in it, I’d be happy to see them working on the farm,” Phil said. “They all very much like the farm right now. Two of Joey’s girls seem to be very interested, but they’re very young. You never know what the future holds.”

Joey Ramsey, at left, the Ramsey’s youngest son, works on the farm with his parents and another brother, James.

(Dave Blower Jr. photo)

A proud supporter of checkoff projects, Phil Ramsey had a bridge on his property coated by a soy-based concrete protectant called PoreShield – which was developed by ISA and Purdue University. (Amy Kelley photo)

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New NCGA President Wolle lists advocacy priorities Minnesota farmer Harold Wolle assumed the role of National Corn Growers Association president in October.

Wolle brings years of leadership and advocacy experience to the role, having served as the Minnesota Corn Growers Association president and as a member of the NCGA Corn Board for the last six years. NCGA board presidents are elected by fellow board members each year to serve a one-year term.

Q: What are some of your immediate priorities as president?

Wolle: The farm bill is the top priority. We are particularly focused on crop insurance and the safety net programs in the farm bill. These programs provide vital assistance to farmers during bad times, like when crops are damaged from adverse weather conditions or when farmers experience revenue losses.

NCGA staff and state corn grower leaders have been working diligently to communicate the importance of these programs as well as priorities with trade promotion and conservation. NCGA recently developed a video series featuring corn growers across the country talking about our collective farm bill priorities. Over the last few weeks, members of Congress and staff on Capitol Hill have been targeted with these videos, as we work to share this message and meet our target audience where they are.

NCGA leaders have testified during House and Senate Agriculture Committee hearings, engaged in various listening sessions across the country, activated our grassroots network and sent nearly 8,000 messages to Capitol Hill on corn grower priorities. These are but a few of the many advocacy efforts we’ve engaged in over the last year related to the farm bill. We are well-positioned, and we will continue to engage at the highest levels and promote the priorities of America’s corn growers until a new farm bill is signed into law.

NCGA continues to be focused on increasing the demand for corn. We need our ethanol and livestock industries to be healthy and effective. We are focused on getting additional co-sponsors for the Next Generation Fuels Act in the House and Senate. This legislation would

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provide a pathway for increased demand while lowering greenhouse gas emissions. We are also focused on making inroads into the aviation sector, as the private sector continues to explore sustainable aviation fuel.

Q: What do you make of the current political landscape in Washington, D.C.?

Wolle: It’s a polarized environment, and polarization makes moving legislation difficult, but we are committed to working with our champions on both sides of the aisles in Congress to achieve our policy objectives. NCGA has done a fantastic job over the years of playing the long game and cultivating relationships with key policymakers. As a result, we’re able to secure wins for corn growers.

Q: As the new president of a major commodity group, can you tell us why grower grassroots advocacy is so important?

Wolle: Grassroots advocacy moves the needle on policy issues. We are a membership organization that has 40,000 dues-paying corn grower members and represents some 300,000 growers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their states. When our members write or connect with their policymakers, it makes a difference.

That’s why we need all our growers to be involved in our advocacy efforts. You can follow our advocacy efforts and act by texting “COB” to 52886.

NCGA President Harold Wolle comes from a 140-year-old family corn and soybean farm in south central Minnesota. He is a fifth-generation farmer and is in the process of passing the farm to his son, Matthew.

The Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is seeking Indiana corn producers interested in serving on its Board of Directors.

ICGA is a membership organization that is the public policy voice for Indiana corn growers. The ICGA represents grower concerns at the local, state and national levels, including legislative, judicial and regulatory agency decisions. The ICGA board includes 9 farmer-directors from 9 districts following the congressional districts. Farmer-elected directors serve three-year terms. Elections will take place in the following districts:

• District 3. Steuben, LaGrange, Noble, DeKalb, Allen, Whitley, Huntington,

Wells, Adams, Jay, Blackford, and parts of Kosciusko, Randolph counties (please follow the congressional district map).

• District 6. Henry, Hancock, Wayne, Fayette, Union, Rush, Shelby, Johnson, and parts of Randolph, Marion, and Bartholomew counties.

D

• istrict 9. Decatur, Franklin, Jennings, Ripley, Dearborn, Ohio, Switzerland, Jefferson, Scott, Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Washington, Jackson, Brown, Monroe, Lawrence, and parts of Bartholomew county.

To learn more or to apply by the Jan. 26 deadline for candidate, scan the QR code. Anyone with questions should contact Amber Myers at amyers@indianacorn.org.

What does the board do?

• Manages and conducts the business of the Indiana Corn Growers Association.

• Upholds certain standards of conduct including duty of care, duty of loyalty, duty of obedience, and duty of transparency.

• Attends quarterly board meetings (typically held in November, February, June and August). These meetings are required and are one day in length. Most meetings will be held at the ICGA office in Indianapolis.

• Participates in policy events, works with the media, hosts legislative meetings, represents ICGA at the statehouse or at the national level.

Eligibility Requirements • A dues-paying producer member in good standing with ICGA • A producer of corn as an owner, manager or operator • A resident of the district which you seek to represent To become a dues-paying member go to incornandsoy.org/policy-center/become-a-policy-member. Contact Khyla Goodman at kgoodman@indianasoybean.com with any membership questions.

Not funded with checkoff dollars.

NOVEMBER 2023

Congressional staff learn about biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel

BY AMIE SIMPSON

A

recent tour hosted by Clean Fuels Foundation provided an opportunity to educate Congressional staff about the importance of continued growth in biodiesel and renewable diesel sectors as well as future market opportunities for sustainable aviation fuel.

Biodiesel, made from soybean oil, is a cleaner-burning diesel replacement that can be used in existing diesel engines without modification. It is widely available across the United States.

Renewable diesel, also made from soybean oil, is chemically identical to petroleum diesel and is available for existing infrastructure and diesel engines. It’s primarily available in West Coast states in markets with low-carbon initiatives.

The Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) has strongly advocated for increased opportunities for these fuels for many years.

(SAF) per year by 2025. The company plans to have 1 billion gallons of SAF production by 2030.

Jette said farmers benefit from growth in these markets. For example, increased demand for soybean oil to produce biodiesel has increased farmer income by 63 cents a bushel. “Biodiesel and renewable diesel are important to soybean farmers and so sustainable aviation fuel is another big future market we have to be sure we’re in,” she said. “We have to make sure our products are used in these markets.”

World Energy plans to use soybean oil as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel, but there are some logistics to work out with modeling to more accurately capture the environmental benefits of biofuels including SAF, Jette explained.

Amber Resources and Port of Long Beach

Another stop on the congressional tour included Amber Resources and the Port of Long Beach.

Amber Resources sells Chevron California Clean Fuels Renewable Energy Group UltraClean Congressional Tour BlenD™ fuels, which combines reISA Biofuels Director Helena Jette newable diesel and biodiesel to help participated in the 2023 California meet low-carbon goals. The facility Clean Fuels Congressional Tour. also provides wet-house fueling serShe said it was a chance to highlight vices for over-the-road trucking. the economic impact and growing Attendees learned that the demand of the clean fuels industry. ISA Biofuels Director Helena Jette and others Port of Long Beach moves heard more about Chevron Renewable Energy “No matter what position a more than $200 billion in cargo Group’s UltraClean BlenD™, a proprietary fuel (Congressional staffer) has, if it’s a year and exports the largest that combines renewable diesel and biodiesel. going to involve agriculture, they volume of containerized cargo need to have some baseline in the country. Together, the ports of Long Beach and understanding of the biofuel supply chain before they Los Angeles move nearly 40 percent of the nation’s can advise or give information to leadership, whoever that containerized import cargo, support 2.5 million U.S. jobs, may be,” Jette said. “This tour helped provide some of that and generate $97 billion in local, state, and federal tax necessary background information.” revenues annually.

The tour included a visit to the World Energy’s Paramount Cargo through these ports reaches every congressional facility, which is undergoing a $2 billion expansion to district in the United States. ISA sponsored the event. produce 350 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (Continued on page 27)

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Support is growing in Congress for year-round E15 availability

BY CASSIE MULLEN, Director of Market Development Renewable Fuels Association

T

he U.S. ethanol industry is at a pivotal point as we look forward to the next year, in two ways.

First, it’s long past time to protect the year-round sale of E15 so American drivers have a lower-cost, lowercarbon fuel option all the time, and especially during the summer travel season. Right now, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has delayed a petition from eight Midwest governors to allow year-round E15 it in their states, while in Congress legislation that would codify yearround E15 has seen its support grow.

The Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act would harmonize fuel volatility regulations for ethanolblended fuels across the country, allowing for the yearround sale of E15 in conventional gasoline markets. RFA and the American Petroleum Institute have led a broad coalition of energy and agriculture organizations that has called on Congress to quickly adopt this important legislation.

RFA estimates that nearly 97 percent of registered vehicles on the road today are legally approved by the EPA to use E15, and the vast majority also carry the manufacturer’s endorsement to use E15. Analyses by RFA and the U.S. Energy Information Administration confirmed that expanded use of E15 provided meaningful consumer savings at the pump in summer 2022, as war in Ukraine

pushed crude oil and gasoline prices to historic highs.

A recent CSP survey found that one out of every five fuel retailers plan to add the E15 blend at their locations in the coming year; more than 3,100 fuel stations currently carry the blend.

This brings us to the second E15 opportunity before us. The federal government’s ongoing Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, or HBIIP, has made hundreds of millions of dollars available to help retailers offer E15 and E85.

USDA is currently accepting applications for $450 million in matching grants via the ongoing program, and RFA is ready and willing to assist retailers with their applications.

Since 2020, via HBIIP and state programs, RFA has helped more than 85 companies secure grants in 21 states for almost $68 million in funding, matched by over $217 million in retailer funding for almost $285 million towards higher blends infrastructure.

Much of our work in this area is done with the strong support of corn grower associations like Indiana Corn, who see the continued value of growing the ethanol market to support their members and their farms, as well as to provide everyone with American-made fuel than can drive us into a low-carbon future with more energy security and cost savings for families.

(Continued from page 26)

Biofuels education and information “We want to make sure we are supporting the educational and informational foundation when it comes to biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel tours to reinforce the great work being done by our Indiana soybean farmers,” Jette said. “We recognize the importance of showing our support for other industries that are supporting our product.”

House and Senate staffers participated in the event as well as representatives from USDA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Renewable Energy Lab and more.

Other sponsors of the California Clean Fuels Foundation tour included ADM, AGP, Chevron Renewable Energy Group, Clean Fuels Alliance America, Darling Ingredients Inc., Incobrasa, Innovative Ag Services, Minnesota Soybean Processors, and Western Iowa Energy.

The event also included a tour of World Energy. Attendees hear more about how World Energy’s Paramount facility is undergoing an expansion to produce 350 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel a year by 2025.

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USGC boosts bioethanol benefit awareness at Global Ethanol Summit

BY USGC STAFF

L

the Council also arranged industry side ast month, the U.S. Grains Council meetings for attendees during the event.

(USGC) hosted Global Ethanol This was highly effective in building Summit (GES) in Washington, D.C. relationships between where more than 350 individuals and groups participants had the along the entire opportunity to learn bioethanol value chain. about bioethanol’s The event production and hear concluded with a examples of various series of memorandum countries’ biofuel of understanding policies and everyday (MOU) signings consumer uses. between the Council GES is an education and representatives and trade forum from Ghana, Honduras that sought to and Mexico. MOUs elevate bioethanol’s are non-binding international Attendees listen to opening remarks at the Global Ethanol Summit’s first agreements signifying visibility and general session, which featured a keynote address from USDA Acting an intention for the ongoing successful Deputy Under Secretary Jason Hafemeister. More than 350 industry stakeholders participated in the Summit in Washington, D.C. parties to collaborate initiatives as a viable in the future, paving decarbonization the way for increased bioethanol blending in other solution within the transportation sector. Attendees this regions and higher U.S. exports. year included ministerial-level officials and industry Attendees then split into 11 groups and traveled leaders, bioethanol producers and refiners from more across the country to tour U.S. bioethanol production, than 40 countries. transportation and retail sale facilities as well as attend In addition to its four general sessions, GES also meetings with major bioethanol suppliers to better featured concurrent panels focused on different aspects understand each other’s needs. of bioethanol uses and best practices, including sessions These post-teams are ideal for leaders in countries that on new use applications, environmental and human are implementing bioethanol into gasoline or increasing health benefits and infrastructure and compatibility. This their existing blending rate because they can ask direct allowed the diverse group of attendees to choose the questions to producers and consumers who can offer information that best suited their individual needs and answers about bioethanol. interests.

“Not only were participants able to network with other “Having multiple options for our participants was a industry leaders and learn about the latest in bioethanol great way to showcase the many use applications of development and uses at GES, but they were also able bioethanol and highlight the various best practices being to physically see and touch all aspects of the bioethanol utilized around the world related to infrastructure and value chain on these post-tours,” Boubin said. “The blending capabilities, as well as off-road applications post-tours are completely unique to GES and attendees such as biobased chemicals and sustainable aviation return to their home countries energized and exposed fuel,” said Mackenzie Boubin, USGC director of global to new techniques that can be implemented within their ethanol export development. respective regions.”

Aside from the various informational sessions at GES,

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The Indiana delegation included ISA Chairman Mike Koehne, a farmer from Greensburg; ISA Board Member Denise Scarborough, a farmer from LaCrosse; ISA CEO Courtney Kingery; ISA Marketing Operations and Leadership Director Hannah Vorsilak; ISA Secretary Joe Stoller, a farmer from Bremen; and ISA Market Development Project Manager Chris Weldon. At right, Kingery and Koehne feed fish soy-based, floating feed pellets at the WorldFish facility in Egypt.

U.S. soybean exports to Egypt aid poultry, aquaculture industries

BY AMIE SIMPSON

I

ndiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) farmer leaders and staff recently saw firsthand the ongoing efforts for U.S. soybeans in Egypt’s poultry and aquaculture industries.

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) hosted a Qualified State Soybean Board (QSSB) Learning Mission in September in Cairo, Egypt. During a tour of one of the largest feed mills in the country, ISA CEO Courtney Kingery discussed some of the opportunities and challenges for the soybean industry.

“We learned that the largest market for U.S. soybean meal in Egypt is poultry,” Kingery explained. “The country has been having some economic issues with devaluation of the currency, so demand has dropped off. But at the feed mill, we heard the general manager say he expects demand to increase in the coming months.

“Aquaculture is the second-largest usage with tilapia being the choice of most Egyptians. There are continued opportunities for U.S. soybeans in this region with growth in both markets.”

Farm-raised fish account for almost 80 percent of Egypt’s

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seafood market, up from 50 percent in 2012. Tilapia, catfish, sea bass, mullet and carp are all fish being produced through aquaculture production in Egypt. Per-acre fish production has increased from 400 kilograms to 2 tons since 2019.

According to USSEC, Egypt is the third-largest soybean export market for the United States, importing more than 4 million metric tons in 2022. The country’s poultry and aquaculture industries are leading the way for more soy to be crushed in the region.

Training, education boost demand USSEC, with support of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), launched the first global Soy Excellence Center (SEC) in September 2019 with several programs near Cairo. Today, more than 101 training programs have been conducted in Egypt. The trade mission coincided with the center’s fourth anniversary.

ISA Board Members Denise Scarborough of LaCrosse, Ind.; Mike Koehne of Greensburg, Ind.; and Joe Stoller of

Bremen, Ind., visited Cairo University to see the training program in action.

“There are various topics offered in the programs at the Soybean Excellence Center, but mainly they cover the difference between U.S. Soy and its competitors including the higher protein content and digestibility of U.S. soybean meal,” Stoller reported. “They also focus on improving production and helping their business, which helps our business. … We toured Cairo University where the SEC training program is taught. We met with some of the faculty, sat in on a poultry course, and then handed out degrees at the graduation for the students.”

The are four Soybean Excellence Centers that have been established in emerging markets, and they are Middle East and North Africa; South Asia and Southeast Asia; Sub Saharan Africa; and the Americas. The centers help meet local workforce needs by facilitating employee training and continuing education that builds the knowledge and skills to help employees overcome challenges in food and agribusiness operations.

The trade mission also involved a meeting with the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS). Chris Riker, ministercounselor for agricultural affairs at the U.S. Embassy Cairo, expanded on some of the challenges in Egypt. “The biggest pressure on trade right now is the lack of available foreign currency in the market. There are just too many dollars that have left the market and so there’s a shortage of availability to make payments for making transactions,” Riker said. “From what my team has been hearing, it’s not that there’s a lack of interest in making the purchases but instead struggling with banks to come up with the currency to deliver payment based on the contractual terms.”

But, he said, there is still a preference for U.S. soybeans in Egypt. That’s why it’s important for Indiana farmers and others on the trade mission to show that U.S. soybean growers are committed to being their supplier of choice.

The USSEC delegation to Egypt included farmers and checkoff staff from Kansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio and South Dakota.

USSEC in Egypt for 22 years

For 22 years, USSEC has worked alongside Egyptian agriculture and aquaculture stakeholders to create growth in their country. As the Egyptian economy expands and the population turns to protein, U.S. Soy is providing solutions to support those industries.

Egypt’s poultry producers have achieved 100 percent self-sufficiency and are exporting to several other countries.

There is an opportunity for strong and continued growth in poultry and dairy production, driven mainly by poultry and dairy consumption in the region.

Egypt’s aquaculture sector, which is a leader in Africa and ranks sixth globally, is projected to see a 46 percent increase in feed demand by 2025.

The trade mission agenda included visits to Alexandria K21 Marine Farm & Hatchery and Sadat City Feed Mill facilities to give the delegation a firsthand experience of the latest technologies and practices being employed in feed and seafood production. The innovative approaches observed among these stakeholders is a testament to the country’s plans to increase fish production to 3 MMT by 2025.

Against the backdrop of iconic Egyptian pyramids, the trade mission was an opportunity to collaborate and engage with Poultry is the largest market for U.S. soybean meal in Egypt. Trade mission participants stakeholders in this key market. visited Sadat City Feed Mill.

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Indiana corn, soybean checkoffs tout U.S. poultry, pork in Vietnam contests

BY AMIE SIMPSON

I

ndiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) and from increased usage and demand Indiana Corn Marketing Council for U.S. pork. As there is more demand (ICMC) board members attended two for U.S. meat products internationally, cooking competitions promoting U.S. there is more demand for Indiana crops, meat products recently in Vietnam. The returning value back to the farm gate. first was the 2023 Pork Stars Challenge hosted by the Farmer leaders attending the event included Carey U.S. Meat Export Federation in Ho Chi Mihn City.

McKibben of LaGrange, Ind., Steve Phares of Albion, Ind., Eight of the top chefs from across Vietnam created David Ring of Huntingburg, Ind., Scott Smith of Windfall, a dish using U.S. pork spareribs during challenge. The Ind., and Mike Beard, of Frankfort, Ind. competition aims to highlight pork as McKibben said Vietnam continues the center-of-the-plate choice. Social to be an emerging market, and the media influencer Tri Phan said the cooking competition helps promote event created a great experience for U.S. pork in a rapidly growing young Vietnamese chefs, allowing economy. them to showcase their creative “The middle class in Vietnam is cooking skills. “This space is best growing, offering opportunities for described by the word ‘blend,’ a the U.S.,” he said. “Demographically, blend of Vietnamese ingredients it has a younger population with the and pork imported from the United average age of 33 years old. They States combined into unique culinary seem to enjoy and think favorably artworks,” he said. “The competition of the quality of U.S. products and requires contestants to create are demanding more. We need the best pork dish, using typical to make sure we’re developing Vietnamese ingredients and quality these relationships in Vietnam and pork from the United States.” supplying quality product to build Tran Van Tuan won first place. and maintain markets.”

Chefs from 14 culinary schools participatHis first dish featured U.S. pork He said it is critical for ISA and ed in the final round of the Best Poultry simmered in sugarcane and ICMC to develop relationships Challenge, a cooking competition that mulberry sauce followed by pork through programs, like the Pork Stars recognizes that culinary students are the cartilage that was rolled in coconut Challenge, to expand U.S. markets. future of the foodservice industry and pepper sauce.

U.S. red meat exports in 2022 used aims to increase demand for U.S. poultry.

The second prize winner, Le nearly 38 million bushels of Indiana Nguyen Anh Khoi, created U.S. grilled five-spice pork ribs corn. The exports contributed $1 per corn bushel value. with charcoal sticky rice. His second recipe was U.S. pork U.S. pork exports in the same year used seven million cartilage salad served with crispy vegetables. Nguyen bushels of Indiana soybeans. The exports contributed Chanh Than won third prize for creating curry pork rib $1.94 per soybean bushel value. with vegetables served with pandan leaf rice as well as Young chefs prepare U.S. poultry dishes stuffed pork and ground mushroom wrapped in flower Indiana farmers also attended a poultry cooking dough leaves. competition in Vietnam hosted by the USA Poultry and Supporting export programs through USMEF like the Egg Export Council (USAPEEC).

Pork Stars Competition remains a priority for ISA and The Best Poultry Challenge brought 14 culinary schools ICMC. Ed Ebert, senior director for market development to Da Nang to participate in a final cooking competition at ISA and ICMC, said corn and soybean growers raise round with U.S. poultry products. In the final round each the crop used to feed livestock and ultimately benefit 32

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team was required to prepare a freestyle main dish and regional specialty dish using U.S. chicken.

Trinh Tuan Dung and Van Phu Phuong Dung from A Au Culinary School in Ho Chi Minh City won first prize with two dishes inspired by the Mekong Delta cuisine in Vietnam. The dishes are grill roll chicken with spicy coconut sauce and chicken porridge with star gooseberry leaf.

Cao Viet and Pham Nhat Hieu from Danang Culinary School won second place. The first dish was a chicken siphon consommé with river leaf creeper and fermented bamboo shoots. The second dish was a chicken wellington with bamboo charcoal powder and filling made with chicken, wild mushrooms, baby corn, lemongrass, chicken bone sauce, and pureed sweet corn.

Nguyen Hoang Thanh Thuy and Luu Thi Dong from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE) won third prize. They created grilled chicken served with coffee sticky rice and pan-fried chicken and dragon fruit salad served with kumquat sauce.

USAPEEC reported that the cooking competition recognizes that culinary students are the future of the foodservice industry and aims to increase demand for U.S. poultry by increasing awareness and favorability for the product among them.

The competitions were live-streamed on social media platforms to bring awareness of the quality of U.S. products to consumers in the country.

In Vietnam, consumers purchase meat in outdoor markets. U.S. products can be found in newer, larger retail stores. Because frozen chicken found in retail stores looks different than the whole chickens displayed in the outdoor markets, the cooking competition helped highlight that the frozen chicken can also be cooked in a traditional Vietnamese style.

As the largest market for U.S. poultry among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam is an important place for the competition.

ISA Director Carey McKibben and social media influencer Tri Phan present an award to a chef participating the 2023 Pork Stars Challenge, a competition that aims to highlight U.S. pork as the center-of-the-plate choice.

Chefs prepared food dishes featuring U.S. poultry. The competition was hosted by the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC).

“Vietnam has experienced strong economic growth rates over the last three decades giving citizens the ability to afford more meat protein than ever,” according to Shelby Watson, manager of internal operations for USAPEEC. “With its strong economic development progress, sizeable and young population, dynamic foodservice and retail sectors, Vietnam presents an attractive emerging market for the U.S. poultry industry.”

USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) was present at both cooking competitions as well with “United Tastes” branding to promote U.S. agricultural products in Vietnam. Andrew Anderson-Sprecher, a senior agricultural attaché with the USDA, attended both events and spoke about the importance of promoting the benefits of U.S. pork and poultry products in this vitally important and emerging market.

ISA and ICMC also sponsored the poultry cooking competition. Soybean and corn growers benefit from a growing poultry industry.

“The U.S. poultry and egg industry is the largest user of U.S. soybean meal and corn meal by a livestock group, accounting for 56 percent of all the soybean meal and 33 percent of all corn meal produced in the U.S.,” Watson reported. “…more exports of U.S. poultry and eggs mean more value-added exports of U.S. soybean meal and corn meal.”

In 2022, U.S. poultry and egg exports accounted for 149 million soybean bushel-equivalents, including 12 million soybean bushels from Indiana. The exports accounted for 300 million corn bushel-equivalents, or 21 million corn bushels from Indiana, worth $6 billion.

Indiana corn and soybean checkoff organizations began investing in the Vietnamese market in 2021.

There has been growth since that time. U.S. poultry exports to Vietnam increased from 97,961 metric tons in 2021 to 118,152 metric tons in 2022, or an increase of nearly 21 percent.

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ISA board members and staff worked closely with USSEC staff at the Southeast Asia U.S. Agricultural Cooperators Conference. From left are Iowa Corn Vice President of Market Development Ryan Sauer, USSEC Chairman Stan Born, USSEC CEO Jim Sutter, ISA Chief Operating Officer Chantel Rammel, ISA board member Steve Phares, ISA Market Development Project Manager Maggie Hancock and ISA board member Carey McKibben.

Southeast Asia, China recent targets for U.S. soy export efforts

BY U.S. SOYBEAN EXPORT COUNCIL

T

he Indiana soybean industry crushes many soybeans for domestic needs, while also exporting soybeans and soy products to meet needs around the world.

Indiana farmers benefit from the ripples created by every global commitment to purchase U.S. Soy, supporting the value of their soybean crop.

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) constantly works to maintain and grow demand for U.S. Soy around the world, with support from the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA).

While crops matured and combines ran in Indiana fields, USSEC strengthened critical relationships with international customers.

Southeast Asia Agricultural Cooperators Conference USSEC, U.S. Grains Council and U.S. Wheat Associates co-hosted the Southeast Asia U.S. Agricultural Cooperators Conference in Danang, Vietnam, in mid-September. The event welcomed customers from countries throughout the region to address global challenges like food security, sustainability and innovation.

The conference aimed to promote U.S. agricultural

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products and share the latest global market and industry information with attendees.

Carey McKibben, a farmer from LaGrange, Ind., currently serving as chair of ISA’s Market Development Committee, and Steve Phares, a farmer and ISA director from Albion, Ind., attended the conference. ISA market development staff Ed Ebert and Maggie Daily also attended as well as ISA Sustainability and Value Creation Consultant Dr. Scott Hutchins and ISA Chief Operating Officer Chantel Rammel.

Also from Indiana were Indiana Corn Market Council board members Mike Beard, a farmer from Frankfort, Ind., and David Ring, a farmer from Huntingburg, Ind. Indiana Corn Growers Association President Scott Smith, a farmer from Windfall, Ind., also participated.

Throughout the conferences, they networked with customers, answering questions about U.S. Soy and the Indiana and U.S. soybean crop.

Based on participant evaluations, customers and U.S. exporters transacted and negotiated 1.7 million metric tons of U.S. agricultural products at the conference. This includes about 370,000 metric tons of soybeans, 445,000 metric tons of soybean meal, 277,000 metric tons of corn, 394,000

USSEC, U.S. Grains Council and U.S. Wheat Associates co-hosted the Southeast Asia U.S. Agricultural Cooperators Conference in Danang, Vietnam, in mid-September. The event welcomed customers from countries throughout the region to address global challenges like food security, sustainability and innovation.

metric tons of dried distiller grains with solubles (DDGS) and 234,000 metric tons of wheat.

Plus, the event reaffirmed a commitment from the United States to foster growth in Southeast Asia, projected to remain one of the world’s fastest-growing areas. Nations like Vietnam and Indonesia rank among the top seafood producers, making the region a key player in global aquaculture.

U.S. Soy supplies a more sustainable source of protein for many aquafeeds, helping meet the growing demand for seafood.

Shifting dynamics in our soybean market will also allow the United States to export more soybean meal to this region. Crushing plant expansions in the Northern Plains will produce more soybean oil for the renewable fuels industry, while making more soybean meal available for both domestic and international customers. Trains will ship soybean meal to the Pacific Northwest for export.

While that is not an economical path for exporting soy products from Indiana, it does position U.S. Soy to compete more effectively with soybean meal from Argentina and meal from other origins. Growth from these efforts will support global demand that Indiana farmers will help meet.

China/U.S. Sustainable Agricultural Trade Forum In October, just before the World Food Prize Foundation’s 2023 Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, USSEC and USCG worked with the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-products and other groups to organize a trade forum and signing ceremony.

During the event, several Chinese agricultural companies and U.S. exporters signed11 purchase agreements or contracts.

A participating USDA representative said the contracts allow U.S. farmers to invest and foster innovation to sustainably intensify production to deliver nutrition and food security.

U.S. exporters involved in the purchase agreements included ADM and Bunge, notable soybean buyers in Indiana. Soybeans continue to be the top food and agricultural export from the U.S. to China. U.S. Soy has collaborated with China since 1982, and Indiana farmers have been part of efforts to build, maintain and strengthen that relationship over time.

Indiana soybeans may go to China, Indonesia, Vietnam or places in Southeast Asia. Or they may be used domestically.

Either way, the commitments to buy U.S. Soy made at these and other events support the value of the 5.83 million acres of soybeans harvested in Indiana in 2023.

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USMEF Strategic Planning Conference highlights return on export investments

BY MARK LEGAN & JIM DOUGLAS Members of all sectors of agriculture recently gathered in New Orleans for the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Strategic Planning Conference. While we were there, USDA released the latest Mark Legan U.S. red meat export data – numbers that drove home the importance of the investment we make in exports.

Through the first three quarters of 2023, our exports around the globe contributed $63.16 to the value of each hog slaughtered. As pork producers facing a domestic downturn in demand, that is value Jim Douglas that is vital to our operations. So far this year, we have exported nearly $6 billion worth of U.S. pork, a 7 percent increase on 2022.

But that rate of growth is not guaranteed, so we must continue vital investments in promotion of our exports.

We were pleased to hear in New Orleans that USDA has plans to do exactly that. Alexis Taylor, USDA under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, outlined plans for the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP).

USDA plans to utilize $1.3 billion from the Commodity Credit Corporation to fund the initiative aimed at diversifying export markets for U.S. agricultural products.

While everyone is anxious to know the specifics, Taylor said USDA is “feverishly working” to finalize the details and will provide more information about the program soon – including how to apply for RAPP funds.

These kinds of investments have dramatic impacts for all of us in agriculture. A recent study by Texas A&M found that each dollar of USDA export market development programs returned an average of $24.50. That’s also why Indiana corn and soy growers continue to be one of the largest contributors to the global work of USMEF in our efforts to “move the pile.”

And we face challenges in that effort, as noted by USMEF Chair Dean Meyer, a livestock and grain farmer from Rock Rapids, Iowa.

“Regardless of the sector we are based in, we’re able 36

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to come together on most issues and provide a unified voice,” Meyer said. “And I don’t need to tell you, American agriculture needs that unified voice now more than ever, because there are critical programs and issues that need our support.”

Meyer highlighted the urgent need for progress crafting a new farm bill and reauthorizing agricultural appropriations, citing examples of programs critical to the U.S. meat and livestock industries. Protecting the U.S. livestock herd from foreign animal diseases is one such need, and Meyer drove this point home by noting that next month will mark the 20th anniversary of the first BSE case in the United States.

USMEF stands ready to take on the challenges of a global market that 2024 brings. We elected a new chairman, Randy Spronk, a pork producer from Minnesota, who is focused on expanding the diversification of both our market reach and of the pork, beef and lamb products in demand around the world.

As members of the USMEF executive committee, we thank our fellow Indiana corn and soybean growers for their continued support of these export promotions investments that make this possible.

Both Mark Legan and Jim Douglas are Indiana Soybean Alliance board members, and they are on the USMEF Executive Committee. Douglas, a farmer from Flat Rock, Ind., represents the United Soybean Board, and Legan, a farmer from Coatesville, Ind., represents the Oilseeds Industry on the Committee.

From right, USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor joins USMEF staff members Homero Recio, Jihae Yang and John Hinners for a discussion of promotional partnerships that capitalize on third-party contributions to maximize impact.

WISHH graduates entrepreneurs from global training for high-quality foods and feeds.

Connect with WISHH wishh.org Anderson, Ind., farmer Josh Miller, a past USGC chairman, tells the tour group that ethanol begins by growing WISHH is a program of the cornAmerican on a farm.Soybean Association and is funded in part

by the United Soybean Board and state soybean board checkoff programs.

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Dan Quinn and graduate student Riley Seaver harvest scale cover crop/nitrogen work.

Farmer-focused research at Purdue benefits corn growers across the state

BY AMIE SIMPSON

V

aluable and unbiased research is underway at Purdue University to provide Indiana corn farmers with the information needed to make timely decisions throughout the growing season.

Dan Quinn is the assistant professor of agronomy and extension corn specialist at Purdue. He says there are more than 40 research trials taking place on farmer’s fields and Purdue Agricultural Centers across the state as well as the Agronomy Center for Research and Education (ACRE) in West Lafayette.

“We try to help farmers make decisions and answer questions,” Quinn said. “A lot of our applied research directly influences farmers. As soon as the results come off the combine, for example, we’re able to talk about them. The research shared through Purdue Extension could potentially direct a farmer’s decision one way or another during the next growing season.”

Most of the trials are tailored toward topics that farmers have requested.

“A lot of our research trials are built off the questions I

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get at field days and phone calls and emails from farmers asking us to focus on specific topics,” he said. “That is what drives a lot of our research projects.”

Research trials spanning all aspects Quinn said there is a lot of research related to farm equipment. A few of the trials involve evaluating planter components and technologies. “We’re looking into how different planters work, where they work, and in what conditions they work,” he said. “We’re also looking at how they perform in no-till and cover crops compared to conventional tillage.”

A few farmers in the state utilized different variable rate seeding prescriptions during corn planting and performance results will be compared after harvest.

Another trial focused on the performance of combine headers at harvest. Quinn was recently at a southern Indiana plot monitoring how various combine settings performed in a field with the goal of seeing how they influence kernel losses.

Graduate students Narciso Zapata (funded by ICMC), Erick Oliva, and Ph.D. student Ana Morales work with a drone.

Undergraduate Emely Gramajo, who works with the program, Ag Engineering Ph.D. student Nathan Sprague, and Ag Engineering Faculty Dr. John Evans, help with planter technology/cover crop research trial.

Quinn said a common research topic requested by farmers is product evaluation as farmers want to know how fungicides, fertilizers and biologicals perform.

An Indiana Corn Marketing Council-supported trial in 2024 will involve looking into corn yield, nitrogen use, and biological activity responses to nitrogen-supplier microbial amendments.

“We’ll be working with our soil microbiologists to really understand these different products and where they work or don’t work,” he said. “It was unbelievable how many farmers have asked me about this. We’ll investigate how the products perform from a yield, plant health and efficiency standpoint.”

This trial and others overlap into research focused on sustainability – including cover crops, tillage and nitrogen-management. Overall, research through the Purdue Extension Corn Program aims to provide solutions to help farmers be more efficient and improve production, profitability and environmental performance of corn systems.

“Farmers know how to grow corn. They know how to grow corn well and they do an outstanding job. But how do we get better,” Quinn said. “That’s where I come in and try to understand that next step. How do we get better, not just from a yield standpoint, but how do we get more efficient and how do we produce more with less. That’s really important from what we work on here at Purdue.”

information and expertise. Why do all of this work if we can’t share what we’re able to see from it and help farmers? One of my favorite parts of my job is to be able to do all this work, see the results that come in, share it with farmers in the state, and implement it on their farm the following Ph.D. student Ana Morales and year,” he said. visiting scholar Jose Zarraga collect “Through the soil samples. Quinn says Ana has research with 7 farmers around the extension, we’re state and does a great job leading able to reach a lot of this project. farmers around the state. The research drives what we do and we’re able to present a lot of things farmers want to see because we do intensive trials based on their questions and challenges.”

Putting research into practice Purdue Extension is uniquely positioned to conduct diverse research trials across the state and share the results with farmers. Quinn said he participates in between 60-70 meetings each year to provide this information.

“That’s why Purdue Extension is here — to share that

Results and other resources are posted on Quinn’s website at thekernel.info.

For the second year in a row, a book of trial results will be published for farmers based on data that is received this fall.

There will be some print copies available as well as a digital copy on the website’s homepage.

Farmers interested in working with the Purdue Extension Corn Program team on potential research trials can reach out to Quinn at djquinn@purdue.edu or 765-494-5314.

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Funded with Indiana corn checkoff dollars.

While enhanced drainage of cropland has produced higher yields, there are environmental costs. Large areas of wetlands have been lost, and there is concern about the rapid, direct transport of excess nitrates and pesticides to surface waters. Most of the work at the Experimental Drainage Plots at SEPAC, as well as some of the projects at the Water Quality Field Station have focused on these concerns.

Recycling drainage water may be another tool for better soybean yields

BY CAROL BROWN Soybean Research Information Network

G

rowing crops requires healthy soil, sunlight and water. Crops grow well when they receive water at key times, which isn’t always possible with natural rainfall.

Scientists have developed irrigation methods to water the crop when rain is in short supply, which improves growth and ultimately yield.

Drainage water management can be another tool to help crops use water at the right time. It can reduce excess water coming from tile lines in the spring and also hold water in the soil for crop use later in the season. Laura Bowling, a Purdue University hydrologist, is part of a team of Midwest agronomists and water drainage experts looking for efficient ways to supply water to crops when needed.

“Over the last 100 years, our annual precipitation has increased and most of the increase is coming in the winter and spring. This is when we have the greatest need for drainage to get water out of the field for timely planting,”

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Bowling said. “But more installed tile lines puts additional stress on the drainage infrastructure — too much water leaves the fields too quickly. Then come the warm summers with greater risk of drying soil later in the season when crops can use more water. It makes sense to hold this water and then apply it as supplemental irrigation later in the growing season.”

Laura Bowling is a full professor with research and teaching responsibilities in the Department of Agronomy at Purdue University and has a courtesy appointment in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

management, irrigated plots with fungicide and insecticide applications, and a third plot with fertigation, which includes extra nitrogen, sulfur and potassium added to the irrigation water.

The team then compares soybean yields from the irrigated plots to rain-fed plots with standard management and rain-fed plots with intensive management of applied sulfur, fungicide and insecticide.

A corn/soybean rotation study

Irrigation control structures like this one help crops receive water when needed. (Photo courtesy United Soybean Board)

Larger volumes of water leaving fields in the spring can carry excess amounts of nutrients, which can negatively impact water quality for those downstream.

Drainage water management practices can help with these issues. Controlled drainage, saturated buffers and drainage water recycling are similar in their goals for managing water and reducing nitrate loss, but each of these practices work better in certain areas depending on the slope of the land or access to a stream.

Better yields and water quality Bowling leads a project that explores whether drainage water recycling can improve soybean yields and water quality. A recycled drainage system consists of a pond, drainage ditch, or reservoir adjacent to an agricultural field with an irrigation system connected to the waterbody.

The waterbody captures rainwater and excess water drained from fields and holds it until the crop is in need.

And in some cases, the stored water may naturally denitrify thanks to bacteria, which lowers nitrogen levels before the water is released to the field or downstream.

The research project began in 2021 and was supported by the Indiana Soybean Alliance. She and her team regulated when and how much water the crops in the adjacent field received through an installed water control structure and irrigation system. In 2022, the team earned a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant to expand the experiment during four years.

“This is a prototype project,” Bowling explained. “Instead of digging a pond, we modified a jurisdictional wetland area at the Agronomy Center for Research and Education (ACRE) near West Lafayette. The wetland receives subsurface drainage from about 175 acres of the farm.”

They added a control structure to drain or hold water, as needed, trying to be as efficient as possible with water use.

They installed surface drip irrigation lines.

The study is a comparison of irrigated plots with standard

In 2021, the team planted soybeans on the experimental field, Bowling said, and they irrigated the field a few times late in the growing season. But they didn’t gather as much data as intended, due to unexpected issues including a leaking control structure. In 2022, the team expanded the experiment and grew soybeans and corn in the field.

Through the USDA-NIFA grant, they will be able to study the corn/soybean rotation for four years.

Bowling is part of the team on the Transforming Drainage project, also funded by USDA-NIFA and led by colleague Jane Frankenburger, an agricultural engineer at Purdue. The eight-state project concluded recently and studied controlled drainage, saturated buffers and recycled drainage.

The data collected from the Indiana recycled drainage structure will be included in the project’s database, available on the Transforming Drainage website. The website contains webinars, videos, and publications on how each drainage structure functions as well as tools to help evaluate and plan for drainage system installations.

Bowling intends for the Purdue University recycled drainage site to be an educational venue where farmers can learn more about drainage management and see if a system could benefit their land. Bowling has hosted field days and hopes to schedule more during the duration of the NIFA project.

The drainage water Recycling system, illustrated here, captures Excess water drained from the field and stores it in a reservoir.

The stored water is used to irrigate crops when needed. (Source: TransformingDrainage.org)

NOVEMBER 2023

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CHECKOFF INVESTMENT

This year’s National FFA Convention featured record-breaking attendance and a chance for youth from across the country to celebrate the future of agriculture. Participating in the convention were 72,954 members, advisors and guests.

Indiana’s corn, soybean checkoffs support National FFA Convention

BY DAVE BLOWER JR.

T

he Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) and the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) sponsored the Kickoff Luncheon for the 96th National FFA Convention, which was in Indianapolis on Oct. 31. The Indianapolis Convention Center was the host to the noteworthy 96th National FFA Convention and Expo.

This year’s event featured recordbreaking attendance and a chance for youth from across the country to celebrate the future of agriculture.

Participating in the convention were 72,954 members, advisors and guests. More than 120 hotels were used by FFA members throughout the Indianapolis area.

During the Nov. 1-4 event, 96 student workshops and 36 teacher workshops were offered. The career show in the Expo Hall included 287 exhibitor booths. The convention can be the culmination of years of involvement; 4,423

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American FFA Degrees and 213 Honorary American FFA Degrees were awarded at the 2023 event. Fulfilling the “Living to Serve” motto, 2,640 FFA members served at 21 local nonprofits in the Indianapolis area.

For access to a full recap of this year’s convention, including award results, radio interviews, FFA Live! segments and more, go online to www.FFA.org.

Convention theme: Evolve ISA Chair Mike Koehne, a Greensburg, Ind., farmer, and ICMC President Paul Hodgen, a farmer from Roachdale, Ind., spoke with the luncheon’s attendees about their FFA experiences and how that shaped their lives. Both admitted the theme to this year’s convention, “Evolve,” was appropriate.

“I really like the theme of this year’s convention –

Evolve,” Koehne said. “Like many of the FFA members who will wear their blue jackets around Indy this week, I was not raised on a farm. This career that I enjoy would not be possible without the friends and advisors who guided me during my high school FFA experience.

Personally, I had to evolve to build this life that I have.

When I was in high school, I would often go home with my friends, and I’d work on their farms after school. This was a great learning experience for me. I learned some of the skills I would need if I wanted to be a farmer.”

Hodgen said one of the highlights of his years in FFA was attending the national convention.

“Like many things, you will get out of your FFA experience what you put in it. And that goes for your FFA convention experience here in Indianapolis, too,” Hodgen said. “When I was a junior in high school, I had the honor of attending a National FFA Convention in Kansas City. I remember the opening ceremony when I was standing with a crowd of FFA members from all over the country. I knew I wasn’t in Roachdale, Ind., anymore.”

Koehne concurred. “The highlight of my FFA career was getting to go to the National FFA Convention in Kansas City,” he said. “At that point in my life, that was the furthest I’d ever been from my home. I happened to be a chapter officer, and there were only 10 of us who were able to attend. I had never seen anything like it. There were thousands of FFA members from all over the country in Kansas City. I made many new friends. I learned how agriculture is different in other parts of the country, and I also learned how it’s the same.”

Hodgen added that the convention has also evolved through the years. However, the basics of learning new things and making new friends will never change.

“I made friends for a lifetime at that convention.

I made friends from all over the country and from all over Indiana. And today, with social media, I am able to stay in touch with many of them,” he said.

“Social media is just one way we’ve seen society evolve since I was in high school. The FFA has also evolved. In my day, FFA was mostly ISA Chair Mike Koehne, a a farm organization first-generation farmer from for kids interested in Decatur County, Ind., tells agriculture. Today, it is the luncheon attendees that his premier youth leadership FFA experience was important to getting his career started. organization in the world.”

Several Indiana FFA state officers pose with ISA Chair Mike Koehne, at center left, and ICMC President Paul Hodgen, center right, following the Kickoff Luncheon for the 96th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis on Oct. 31.

Living to Serve Koehne said, while in school he participated on many soil judging and livestock judging teams. He also learned how to communicate and organize his thoughts before making a presentation. These skills, he said, helped him as he started his farm.

“As a way to pay back those who helped me when I was in FFA, we have hosted soil judging and other events on our farm,” Koehne said. “Each of my kids have participated in FFA. I am very proud of their work. I hope you enjoy your convention. I hope it is a memory of a lifetime like it is for me.”

Hodgen agreed that his FFA service helped his educational career, where he earned advanced degrees in soil science, soil fertility and agronomy from Oklahoma State University and the University of Nebraska. He said the lessons learned in FFA frequently help him on his farm.

“The FFA is the premier youth organization in the world,” Hodgen said. “It has an impact on thousands of young men and women on a daily basis, and it has influenced many more who are FFA alumni. I stand before you today as one of those grateful alumni. For me, and many others like me, FFA has taught essential life skills. These skills include critical thinking, responsibility and being able to reason arguments while on my feet. I was taught how to communicate and to defend my opinions. In training for FFA contests or preparing for meetings, I learned many skills that have helped me in my career.”

He wrapped up the luncheon by telling the student members that Indiana’s corn checkoff was proud to be a part of the convention, and he added some advice.

“The principles of FFA beat in the hearts of Indiana’s farmers,” Hodgen said. “My advice: Make the most of this experience. You’ll never forget this moment in your life.

Make friends, get out of your comfort zone and learn something new. You’ll never regret it.”

NOVEMBER 2023

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CHECKOFF INVESTMENT

Indiana corn checkoff offers grain bin safety training to rural firefighters

BY DAVE BLOWER JR.

T

we believe that providing equipment and training to fire hroughout October and November, the Indiana departments to help rescue farmers from a grain bin Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) partnered with entrapment is a wise investment. I was happy to bring this insurance provider Nationwide through its Grain Bin to my community of Vincennes and Knox County.”

Safety campaign to donate grain bin rescue tubes and The statistics support Brocksmith’s claim of potential training to several rural volunteer fire departments around dangers. According to a study published by Purdue the state. Additional, training-only sessions were also University in May, there were 83 reported cases of serious made available. injuries while working on a U.S. farm in 2022 – 24 of those The stations included those in Clark County (New were fatalities. The 83 reported cases are an increase Washington), Henry County (Dunreith), Jackson County of nearly 41 percent on the 59 cases in 2021. Grain bin (Seymour), Knox County (Vincennes) and Ripley County entrapments represented 42 of the 83 cases around (Friendship). In addition, a training session was given to the country. Iowa led the country with nine grain bin the Huntington Volunteer Fire Department. entrapments and 24 overall On Nov. 11, volunteer farm injury reports. firefighters in Perry County Iowa, along with Indiana, on how to use the life-saving, Illinois and Minnesota, grain bin rescue equipment. typically lead the United The county has purchased States annually in total farm two rescue tubes, and they injury reports and grain plan to keep one in Leopold, bin entrapments. In 2022, Ind., and the other in Tell City, Indiana, Minnesota and Ind. Ohio were tied for second in In a little more than a reported farm injuries with year, ICMC has sponsored six each. Purdue researchers 15 training sessions across Nationwide Insurance presented the Indiana Corn claim that their report is not Indiana. New augers and Marketing Council its 2023 Top Sponsor award for comprehensive, and they rescue tubes were provided partnering with Nationwide on its grain bin safety program. At the presentation were, from left, ICMC Senior estimate that as much as 30 to 12 fire departments while Project Marketing Manager Melanie Batalis, President of percent of farm injury cases other departments bought Nationwide Agribusiness Brad Liggett, ICMC President and are undocumented and their own tubes and only Putnam County farmer Paul Hodgen, ICMC Vice President unreported. required training. As of now, and Decatur County farmer Tim Gauck, and ICMC CEO Although the number this program has trained Courtney Kingery. ICMC has worked with Nationwide to provide rescue tubes and grain bin rescue training at 15 of farm injuries increased nearly 400 firefighters. locations since 2022. These sessions have trained 373 rural last year, the percentage ICMC Board Member volunteer firefighters, so far. There are more training sessions of fatalities dropped to 29 Susan Brocksmith, a farmer scheduled for later this month. percent. Historically, 59 from Vincennes, Ind., said percent of reported farm accidents resulted in a death. agriculture has many benefits as a career. However, there The Purdue researchers said this could be due to are also many hazards that could have life-changing increased preparedness and faster response times by results. rural emergency services.

“We know that there are many potential dangers “As many public safety agencies and first responders when working on a farm,” Brocksmith said. “A simple, are still recovering from the lack in depth and breadth careless mistake can become a crisis in a hurry. Grain bin of training simply not possible during the height of the entrapments are among those dangers. As the state’s COVID-19 outbreak, we are thankful for sponsors such as corn checkoff, representing thousands of Indiana farmers,

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ICMC Board Director Janis Highley, a farmer from Warren, Ind., holds a sign during a grain bin rescue training session with Huntington County, Ind., firefighters.

Jackson County, Ind., volunteer firefighters pose with their new grain bin safety equipment, provided through a grant from the Indiana corn checkoff program.

the Indiana Corn Marketing Council for sponsoring this grain bin training to address the needs of current and future responders within our communities,” said Dominic Martin, the Department Chair Fire Science in College of Business and Public Service at Vincennes University. “The Vincennes University Fire Science Program looks forward to working with ICMC and other industry sponsors in the near future for delivering additional timely response training for our communities’ first responders.”

farmers,” he said. “Every farmer knows someone who has suffered from a grain bin entrapment.

“Our goal is to teach people not to go in there in the first place, but we know it’s going to happen. That’s why this program has been so important to those of us on the ICMC board. We hope this is knowledge and equipment that we don’t have to deploy. But if we do, we’re sure glad it’s there.”

Paul F. Stevenson, senior risk management consultant for Nationwide Insurance, agreed with Hodgen’s assessment of the program. “All of our literature encourages a zero-entry mentality,” he said. “If you don’t go in there, then we don’t need to come rescue you.”

Stevenson said the Nationwide program has existed since 2014. However, the last two years have been the busiest. In 2022, Nationwide partnered with other programs to present 65 training sessions. So far in 2023, Nationwide has conducted 60 training sessions.

Stevenson credits the training and equipment has saved seven lives since the program was launched.

“Saving seven lives is a big deal,” he said. “When you think about it, it’s not just seven lives. It’s also mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, etc. In reality when you save seven lives, you’re really saving the lives of 200 people who know and work with them.

President of Nationwide Agribusiness Brad Liggett thanked ICMC for bringing new ideas and energy to the program. “This is really the model that we’ve always wanted – a partner in agriculture,” he said. “We know that farmers will listen to farmers. If this message comes from the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, then other farmers will listen. This is the program that we want to duplicate with other states around the country.”

For details on how to apply for a grant to receive grain bin rescue equipment or training, contact ICMC Marketing Manager Melanie Batalis at mbatalis@incorn.org

ICMC wins Nationwide’s Top Sponsor award Nationwide Insurance presented the Indiana Corn Marketing Council its 2023 Top Sponsor award for partnering with Nationwide on its grain bin safety program. ICMC has worked with Nationwide to provide rescue tubes and grain bin rescue training at 15 locations since 2022.

These sessions have trained 373 rural volunteer firefighters in the past 12 months.

ICMC President Paul Hodgen, a farmer from Roachdale, Ind., said this program is highly valued by the checkoff’s board of directors.

“I think this is a great partnership, Vincennes University Fire Science and it is something Department Chair Dominic Martin that is of critical volunteers to be the victim during importance to grain bin rescue training.

NOVEMBER 2023

45

One of the more popular displays in the Jingle Rail exhibit at the Eiteljorg Museum is the Indiana State Fair section. Featured in this area is ISA’s Glass Barn, the historic Normandy Barn and a Ferris Wheel, among other items.

ISA’s Glass Barn among state fair items at Jingle Rails display

BY AMIE SIMPSON

A

favorite Hoosier holiday tradition has returned and is available now until Jan. 15. Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg Museum consists of nine G-scale trains crafted out of natural materials and decorated with holiday decorations and lighting.

This Christmas display is sponsored by the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA), the state’s soybean checkoff program.

The Indiana State Fairgrounds is one of the more popular displays in Jingle Rails, which includes a custombuilt model of The Glass Barn, ISA mascot Bennie the Bean and the Normandy Barn.

The Glass Barn, unveiled at the 2013 Indiana State Fair, is the premier destination for educating Hoosiers about soybean farming. It uses engaging displays including a combine simulator, programs with farmers, and games to teach people about modern soybean farms.

“The Glass Barn is something that Indiana soybean farmers take pride in as an iconic piece of the State Fairgrounds,” said Ben Linder, ISA consumer outreach manager. “Hoosiers recognize the unique building and can share that amazing agricultural and educational artwork in the Jingle Rails exhibit.”

The exhibit is open from Nov. 18 through Jan. 15 and is

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open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Eiteljorg President and CEO Kathryn Haigh said, “Visiting Fifth Third Bank Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg Museum is a cherished holiday tradition each year for so many families in Indianapolis and around the state. This season, we are excited to offer extended evening hours on select dates in December so more guests can attend and experience this wonderful holiday attraction, which entertains and fascinates our youngest and oldest visitors alike. We look forward to welcoming back returning visitors and meeting new ones at what has become one of Indianapolis’ most beloved holiday attractions.”

Starting Dec. 16, the museum will stay open until 7 p.m. on select days so guests have more opportunities to explore the display. The extended hours will be available Dec. 16-17, Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 28-30.

A cultural pillar for 34 years in downtown Indianapolis, the Eiteljorg Museum aims to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the arts, histories, and cultures of the Native peoples of North America and of the American West. For more about the museum, go online to www.eiteljorg.org For more about ISA, visit www.incornandsoy.org

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BELIEVE YOU CAN. FOR WE LIVE BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT. II CORINTHIANS 5 : 7

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