Indiana Agriculture Insider

New header
header


Longstanding farming families 
honored at the Statehouse

Indiana is very proud of its rich agricultural heritage and the family farms that carry on that tradition. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture honored 39 of those farm families on April 7 with the Hoosier Homestead Award.

The ceremony took place at the Indiana Statehouse and recognized families that have owned the same farm for 100 years with a Centennial Award, for 150 years with a Sesquicentennial Award and for 200 years with a Bicentennial Award. Notably, the Bicentennial Award was presented to one family during April’s ceremony.
 

Hoosier Homestead

 

While all of these farms have no doubt changed dramatically through the years, one thing has not changed—the families’ commitment to agriculture and stewardship of the family farm. Many of the families at the ceremony were represented by past, present and future generations of farmers.

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and ISDA Director Ted McKinney acknowledged the hard work these families and their ancestors have poured into their farms. Indiana would be a lesser place were it not for its agricultural roots.

 

Ted

 
 
Click here to view photos from the ceremony, or here to learn more about the Hoosier Homestead Award.


 

Fresh Thyme joins the 
Indiana Grown community

It's no secret that people want to know where their food comes from, and they want to support local. This is especially true in Indiana. Fortunately, Indiana Grown continues to make that possible by forging new relationships and connecting consumers with locally-sourced agricultural products.

Recently, Lt. Governor Crouch announced the initiative's latest retail partnership with grocery chain Fresh Thyme Farmers Marketwhich will bring dozens of Indiana Grown members’ products into stores throughout the state. The products will be highlighted using banners, shelf and display signage throughout the store, helping Hoosiers identify and purchase products that are grown, produced or processed in Indiana.


LG

 
Among many benefits, this partnership allows Indiana Grown members the opportunity to grow their distribution and increase sales while educating consumers about the wide range of agriculture goods made right here in Indiana. It also makes it easier for Hoosiers to buy local and support their neighbors.
 

IG products

 
We truly believe everyone has a chance to share in the success of Indiana Grown, whether it’s a large or small operation, high-tech, low-tech, traditional or non-traditional, and we are always enjoy celebrating our new partnerships, like Fresh Thyme.


Visit www.indianagrown.org for more information.
 

Legislative Wrap-Up 2017

The Indiana General Assembly has finished its business for 2017, and we wanted to provide a brief update on a few key pieces of legislation that will impact the agriculture industry.

House Enrolled Act 1001
The state biennial budget passed this session includes funding for the Indiana Grown initiative, which is managed by ISDA. Indiana Grown, without its own appropriation until now, will receive $250,000 over the next two years to help Hoosier growers, producers and food and agriculture-related businesses promote to consumers and gain market access in retail outlets, restaurants and more. The initiative has grown to over 750 members in its first two years.

ISDA will also receive additional funding for the Division of Soil Conservation dedicated to conservation efforts in the Western Lake Erie Basin. The soils division will use these funds to encourage more conservation practices such as no-till and cover crops which reduce runoff into our waterways.
 

Bill signing

 
House Enrolled Act 1002
A legislative priority for the Holcomb administration, HEA 1002 provides a transportation infrastructure funding plan that will generate money for both state and local roads. The law will increase the tax on gas, diesel and specials fuels up to 10 cents (indexed annually), and shift all sales tax on gas to roads. The plan is estimated to generate over a billion dollars by 2024, with about $900 million being used for state roads and $340 million for local roads. The law also includes an annual registration fee of $15 per standard vehicle, $150 for an electric car and $50 for hybrid vehicles.

House Enrolled Act 1237
This law makes changes to the Indiana Grain Indemnity Fund, which protects grain farmers in the event of a licensed grain buyer or warehouse failure. While most are technical in nature, some of the main changes include clarifying whether or not a producer is a participant in the fund and extending the duration of coverage provided by the program from 12 months to 15 months.
 

Statehouse

 

Senate Enrolled Act 515
This law clarifies that certain purchasers of agricultural equipment are exempted from paying sales tax. It also adds a sales tax exemption on components of a drainage water management system being used for crop production. This includes drainage tubing, drainage tiles, water flowgates, and control valves, designed to facilitate controlled water drainage on agricultural land. 


KEY DATES:

May 18
State Fair Commission meeting - Indiana State Fairgrounds

May 22
State Soil Conservation Board meeting - Indianapolis

May 23
Indiana Grown Commission meeting - Indianapolis

May 29
Offices closed for Memorial Day


IN THE NEWS:

Hoosier Homestead Awards Honor Commitment to the Land


5 fast facts: Executive director of Indiana FFA programs


Indiana State Department of Agriculture Fills Out Public Affairs Team


Indiana State Dept. of Agriculture accepting Specialty Crop Block Grant


Indiana Opens Fourth Round Of Ethanol Grants


Ag Day Feted at Indiana Statehouse


Shoppers line up for Fresh Thyme grand opening


Farm Credit Mid-America Issues Challenge To 'Pay It Forward' 


HOOSIER EATS

Tuscan Garlic Pasta

Tuscany

 

Ingredients
1 lb. Bettini pasta (or any pasta)
½ cup olive oil
6 whole garlic cloves
½ tsp Best Boy Tuscan blend (Indiana Grown member)
Sea salt and ground pepper
½ tsp red pepper flakes
*Optional 2 TBS of fresh parsley and parmesan cheese for garnish

 

Directions
1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil then add salt.

2. Add pasta and cook for 5-6 minutes, then drain.

3. For the sauce, heat a sauté pan to medium-high heat then add olive oil. Remove pan from heat to add garlic cloves.

4. Cook garlic cloves until golden, then add Best Boy Tuscan blend seasoning, sea salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.

5. Toss the pasta into the pan, coating with sauce.
Garnish with optional fresh parsley and parmesan cheese. 
*Can be served with toasted baguette slice with roasted garlic spread.


CONTACT ISDA:

Indiana State Department of Agriculture 
One North Capitol Avenue, Suite 600 
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317.232.8770
317.232.1362 FAX
Communications@isda.in.gov