The Bacon Bar and Brunch connected more than 200 farmers, stakeholders, representatives and senators to have one-on-one discussions about ag policy issues.
ICGA, M&P partner with Indiana livestock to tout policy issues at annual Bacon Bar BY DAVE BLOWER JR.
T
he Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Indiana Soybean Alliance Membership and Policy Committee (M&P) touted several bills that would benefit Indiana farmers to state lawmakers on Jan. 26 during the annual Bacon Bar and Brunch legislative breakfast at the Indiana Statehouse. Potential legislation that would regulate the carbon sequestration industry to create opportunities for Hoosier farmers led many of the discussions. The corn and soybean policy groups also advocated for Indiana’s livestock producers and supported bills that would make changes to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) and the state seed administrator’s office. With the aroma of freshcooked bacon wafting through the halls of the Indiana Statehouse, the Brunch enticed several House and Senate lawmakers, staff and farm stakeholders to join the discussion. “Bacon not only smells good and tastes good, but it is also a great example of how Indiana farmers work together,” said Greensburg, Ind., farmer Mike Koehne, a member of M&P. “Livestock farmers are very important customers for Indiana corn and soybean growers. A lot of the state’s soybean and corn crops go to feed livestock in Indiana.”
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INDIANA CORN & SOYBEAN POST
ICGA and M&P served many breakfast foods – all with ties to Indiana agriculture. The Indiana Beef Cattle Association provided the beef bacon; Indiana Kitchen offered the pork bacon in its many flavors; Maple Leaf Farms brought the duck sausage; the eggs and turkey bacon were from the Indiana State Poultry Association; and the Indiana Dairy Producers included the milk and yogurt. Other Brunch sponsors include Corteva Agriscience, Farm Credit MidAmerica and Indiana Packers Corporation. The Bacon Bar and Brunch connected more than 200 farmers, stakeholders, representatives and senators to have one-on-one discussions about ag policy issues. “The event was great. We had great turnout,” said Ferdinand, Ind., farmer and ICGA member J.R. Roesner. “A lot of representatives and senators attended, and we enjoyed good conversation with them about the issues concerning farmers right now. ICGA and M&P need to be the voice for Indiana corn and soybean farmers. Events like this provide us with a great place to start conversations, build relationships and promote the issues that are important to farmers. We also want to show support for the legislators who support us.” Each year a new set of proposed laws and regulations in
