Indiana Agriculture Insider

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Indiana celebrates National FFA Week

If you’re one of Indiana’s 12,500+ FFA members, you have a lot to look forward to every year. Whether it’s state or national convention, or a local chapter event, there’s no shortage of things to do, especially during National FFA Week.

Dating back to 1948, FFA Week is a time when FFA chapters across the country share with local, state and national audiences what FFA is and the impact it has on members every day. It’s also a great opportunity to educate the public and elected officials about the importance of the agriculture industry and agricultural education, which was one of the main goals of this year’s FFA Page Day at the Statehouse.

 

FFA

Along with touring the Statehouse and learning about state government, roughly 60 Indiana FFA members, joined by National FFA Officer Piper Merritt of Oklahoma, were able to talk with their elected representatives and other statewide officials, like Jennifer McCormick, Indiana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, about the importance of agricultural education. They also met with Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, and were able to discuss how FFA is cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders in the state.

 

FFA 2

One of the highlights of the day was a joint resolution ceremony honoring Indiana FFA, led by State Senator Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) and State Representative Don Lehe (R-Brookston). Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler, who was a former state and national FFA officer, addressed members of the Indiana House of Representatives and discussed the impact FFA has in the state and to the future of agriculture.

To close out the day, Governor Eric Holcomb issued a proclamation recognizing FFA Week in Indiana, which was the perfect finale to Page Day and the perfect start to FFA Week in Indiana.

To learn more about Indiana FFA, visit www.inffa.org or to learn more about National FFA Week, visit www.ffa.org. A special thanks goes out to the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Growers Association for providing lunch to this year’s participants.

 

FFA


New social media campaign: #FarmersProvide

National Ag Day is just around the corner, and while it offers a chance to collectively celebrate the state’s longest and most notable industry – and those that work in it – it’s important that we show our appreciation for farmers each and every day.

Working towards this goal, Indiana’s Family of Farmers (IFoF) recently launched a new social media campaign called, Farmers Provide. Not only does it showcase the importance of Indiana’s agricultural community, but also helps fight hunger in Indiana – something farmers do on a regular basis.

From now until National Ag Day 2018 (March 18), here’s how you can participate:

  1. Before you eat, snap a photo.
  2. Post the photo to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram describing the meal.
  3. Use the hashtag #FarmersProvide.

For every post, IFoF will donate one meal to Gleaners Food Bank of Indianapolis, up to $10,000. As an added bonus, if you participate, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to donate $500 (of the total donation) to a local food pantry of your choice. The winner will be announced on March 20.

IFoF is made up of many agriculture organizations in Indiana that have rallied around the group’s mission to raise the awareness of Indiana’s quality farmers and quality foods.

To learn more about Indiana’s Family of Farmers, visit www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com.


Farmers Provide


Indiana Grown Day at the Statehouse

Indiana Grown hosts and participates in a variety of events throughout the year. From the Local Foods Summit to the Fantastic Food Fest, the initiative continues to raise consumer awareness about its members and their products in every corner of the state – most recently, in our capital city.

Last week, dozens of Indiana Grown members participated in Indiana Grown Day at the Statehouse, which was a great opportunity for them to share their story and offer samples to elected representatives, statewide officials and members of the public.
 

Indiana Grown

Chocolate from Wolf’s Fine Chocolates, barbecue sauce from JohnTom’s Barbeque, and ham from Indiana Kitchen were some of the amazing Indiana Grown products on display.

The event also attracted notable guests, like Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler, who are both strong advocates for the initiative.

Overall, this event was a great way for influencers and decision makers to get to know Indiana Grown and its members, and to see firsthand how the initiative is working for them. 

Moving forward, we will continue to host events, like Indiana Grown Day at the Statehouse, to raise awareness and create growth opportunities for our members.

To learn more about Indiana Grown or to become a member, visit www.indianagrown.org. Applications are available online and membership is free.
 

    Indiana Grown


    KEY DATES

    March 15
    Indiana State Fair Commission Meeting
    Fairgrounds Administration Building

    March 20
    State Soil Conservation Board Meeting
    NRCS state office

    March 23
    Hoosier Homestead Award Ceremony
    Indiana Statehouse

    March 30
    Good Friday
    Offices closed


    IMPORTANT UPDATES

    Gov. Holcomb Declares Disaster Emergency

    Gov. Eric Holcomb added four counties to the disaster emergency he declared Feb. 24 and Feb. 26 in response to widespread flooding and infrastructure damage caused by sustained heavy rainfall. The governor signed a new executive order to include Harrison, Jasper, Ohio and Pulaski counties—in addition to Benton, Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Jefferson, Spencer, Warrick, Carroll, Dearborn, Elkhart, Fulton, Lake, Marshall, Perry, St. Joseph, Starke, Switzerland and White counties—making 22 total counties covered by this disaster emergency declaration so far.

    The disaster declaration means the state Department of Homeland Security can take necessary actions to provide expanded emergency services and is a step the state is required to take to request assistance from the federal government.

    The State EOC will continue operating, monitoring the status of the ongoing situation and providing support and resources across the state.

    To report weather-related damage, click here.

     

    Grants available to cultivate Indiana's specialty crop sector

    ISDA is now accepting proposals for projects designed to enhance the competitiveness of Indiana's specialty crops, which include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture). Applications are due to ISDA by March 26, 2018.

    Funded by USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the grants are available to non-profits, producer organizations, academic institutions, government agencies and other agricultural organizations for specialty crop research, education or market development.

    Qualified projects must benefit the industry as a whole rather than one product, individual or organization. Priority will be given to projects that focus on issues affecting the specialty crop industry, such as reducing costs of distribution systems or developing new and improved seed varieties.

    A full list of specialty crops is available on USDA’s website. Grant funds will be awarded for projects up to three years in duration.

    For more information about the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, please click here


    IN THE NEWS

    Taking the lead


    Farmers: Broadband Access Is Vital


    ISDA Creating Agricultural Asset Maps to Assist with Economic Development


    Hoosiers lead nation in cover crops


    Kettler: Bring on New Business


    Indiana sets sights on international markets


    Indiana Grown Members Talk Benefits of Membership at Fantastic Food Fest 2018


    Grants awarded to foster growth, promote Indiana's livestock industry


    Indiana Proclaims FFA Week, Hosts Page Day at the Statehouse


    Grants Available To Cultivate Indiana's Specialty Crop Sector


    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