During the convention, FFA members from across the country joined streamlined general sessions, learned how the world’s brightest minds are solving critical challenges in agriculture in the FFA Blue Room, participated in National Days of Service, tuned in for official business sessions, engaged in interactive workshops and so much more!
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture announced Samantha (Sam) Miller as the new Indiana FFA Director. Miller previously served as the Assistant FFA Director for nearly three years.
The Indiana FFA Association has 214 chapters serving over 12,500 Indiana FFA members. In this new role Miller will oversee the Indiana FFA Pavilion at the Indiana State Fair, coordinate the completion of strategic plan initiatives, lead the Indiana FFA Association Board of Trustees and help with leadership training for the Indiana State FFA Officers. She will also manage a team of three FFA and ag education employees within ISDA.
Miller is a member of the Indiana AgriInstitute Ag Leadership Program Class 19. She is also a member of the National Association of Supervisors Agricultural Education, sits on the Public Policy Committee for the National Association of Agricultural Educators and is a member of the Agri-Science committee for the National FFA Organization.
Before serving with the Indiana FFA Association Miller was an FFA advisor and agriculture education teacher at Hamilton Southeastern Schools in Hamilton County.
Local Foods, Local Places helps cities and towns across the country protect the environment and human health by engaging with local partners to reinvest in existing neighborhoods as they develop local food systems. In 2021, the program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and EPA.
Local Foods, Local Places supports locally led, community-driven efforts to protect air and water quality, preserve open space and farmland, boost economic opportunities for local farmers and businesses, improve access to healthy local food, and promote childhood wellness.
Local Foods, Local Places supports projects that:
Create livable, walkable, economically vibrant main streets and mixed-use neighborhoods
Boost economic opportunities for local farmers and main street businesses
Improve access to healthy, local food, especially among disadvantaged populations
The application period for 2021 is open through November 13, 2020.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved the Indiana State Hemp Plan for commercially growing and processing hemp. In Indiana, hemp processing and production are regulated through the Office of the Indiana State Chemist (OISC).
The approved hemp plan takes OISC’s pilot hemp program and transitions it to a commercial hemp production program. Previously, hemp growers needed a research proposal and to be associated with a university researcher to apply for a license. Under this newly approved plan, farmers will not need a research component to be licensed.
For the 2021 growing season, applications will open in November 2020. Applications will be available online utilizing the OISC’s new licensing application software.
At the end of September Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch announced that $4 million in federal CARES Act funding had been allocated for the Indiana Meat Processing Expansion and Development Grant Program. This funding opportunity was created to offset the impact of COVID-19 on local and small meat-processing agribusinesses.
We sincerely appreciate our partners assistance on getting the word out about this grant and for so many applicants taking the time to apply.
The grant applications opened on Oct. 5 and remained open until Oct. 21. ISDA had 60 applications submitted for a total of $6,810,732.00 in requested funding.
Applicants should be notified of selection by early November.
November 3: Election Day ISDA Offices Closed
November 11: Veterans Day ISDA Offices Closed
November 26: Thanksgiving ISDA Offices Closed
November 27: Lincoln's Birthday ISDA Offices Closed
