Spring Conference Celebrates Volunteers Page 6
INFB’s ‘Bill Watch’ Pages 4, 5
INSIDE: News in Brief................ 2 State & Nation.............. 3 Around INFB................ 6 Communication............ 7 Around Indiana............ 8
The Hoosier Farmer
®
A Publication for Voting Members of Indiana Farm Bureau
MARCH 23, 2015 Issue No. 64
Farmland tax legislation passes Senate, moves to House —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team Senate Bill 436, which includes a number of tax provisions that are important to Indiana Farm Bureau members, passed the Senate on a 49-1 vote and is now under consideration by the House Ways & Means Committee. The committee took five hours of testimony on March 11, most of that devoted to SB 436, but as The Hoosier Farmer was going to press on March 16, no vote had been taken. SB 436 includes a variety of property tax provisions, many of which were recommended by the Business Personal Property Tax and Business Taxation Commission that met last summer. The portions of SB 436 most important to Indiana Farm Bureau members would: • Delay the soil productivity factor for the fourth year in a row. • Freeze the 2015 farmland base value of $2,050 to be used again in 2016 • Clarify the definition of agricultural land, which is needed to stop the unjustified reclassification of farmland to the “excess residential acre” designation. During the hearing, several landowners from the Zionsville area relayed their stories about how their horse pasture, wooded or fallow land had increased in assessed value by 1,100 percent due to reclassification by the county assessor. The first provision in the bill is a property tax exemption for taxpayers with less than $20,000 of total Indiana Farm Bureau P.O. Box 1290 Indianapolis, IN 46206
business personal property in a county. It removes the requirement in current law that such an exemption is effective only if adopted by the county income tax council. LSA estimates that this provision would have a minimal financial impact on local government by only lowering local revenues $8.7 million statewide. A large part of the testimony on SB 436 focused on a recent Indiana Board of Tax Review decision that valued big box stores that house thriving businesses similarly to vacant locations. This action has the potential to lower the property tax base in every county and shift tax burdens to others, said Katrina Hall, INFB’s director of state government relations. Those representing the retailers and other specialty commercial and industrial properties stated that this decision actually brings Indiana’s assessment system to true market value in use. Assessors and other local government officials disagreed by arguing that current assessment procedures are aligned with the rules and manuals adopted by the DLGF. A study committee was requested by those representing Meijer, Home Depot and Target. SB 436 was held for amendments. Also heard by the Ways & Means Committee was SB 441, which attempts to answer the question, “Isn’t timber a part of agriculture?” – at least for the Indiana Department of Revenue. SB 441 had passed the Senate 42-7 before being assigned to House Ways & Means.
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID
Berne, IN Permit NO. 43
Authored by Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Buck Creek, and sponsored by Rep. Todd Huston, R-Fishers, the bill contains a variety of tax proposals dealing with state credits and deductions,
including an important provision clarifying that the double direct sales tax exemption applies to agricultural machinery, tools and equipment that is acquired for timber harvesting. This
clarification is needed due to audits conducted by the IDOR where they have asserted that timber harvesting is not an agricultural enterprise. The bill was held for further consideration.
As this session of the Indiana General Assembly enters its second half, counties continue to visit the Statehouse to lobby for Indiana Farm Bureau’s priority issues. Here Justin Schneider, INFB senior policy advisor and counsel, gives a briefing on the issues to groups from Union, Ripley and Jennings counties. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro
Farm Bureau-supported annexation bill passes Senate —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team A bill that gives more power to landowners when municipalities seek to annex land outside of their current boundaries was passed Feb. 24 by the Indiana Senate on a decisive 34-16 vote. Authored by Sens. Phil Boots, R-Crawfordsville, and Randy Head, R-Logansport, Senate Bill 330 prohibits agreements that block property owners from protesting the annexation of their land. The bill now moves to the House, where it has been assigned to the Government & Regulatory Reform Committee. The House sponsors, Rep. Sharon Negele, R-Attica, and Rep. Randy Truitt, R-West Lafayette, are working on an amendment. As of The Hoosier Farmer’s March 16 press date, a committee hearing on the bill had not been scheduled, but according to INFB’s public policy team, the hearing could
come as soon as the weeks of March 16 or March 23. “Current law makes it very difficult for property owners to overturn an annexation,” said Head. “This legislation is a realistic solution for Hoosiers and gives landowners additional protection from unwanted annexation.” SB 330 embodies the goals of INFB and most of the recommendations from the Interim Study Committee on Government, which Boots and Head served on last fall. Most importantly for INFB, according to Katrina Hall, INFB’s director of state government relations, SB 330 repeals the involuntary annexation process and puts in its place a process that requires an annexing municipality to solicit signatures of landowners who support the annexation. When they reach 51 percent of the landowners in the area to be annexed, they submit
signatures to the local court. Neither the city nor the landowners would incur attorney fees unless landowners who do not voluntarily sign file a lawsuit against the annexation. SB 330 removes the requirement for remonstrators to go to court and be subjected to a trial. No landowner should have to spend personal resources to mount a court battle and go through the experience of a trial – and probably an appeal when successful, noted Hall. “This is an expensive process for ordinary citizens and is a real deterrent to fighting an annexation,” she said. She added that as long as the courts are a normal part of an annexation process, the scales are tipped in favor of municipal government. Effectively, the current involuntary/forced annexation process places the burden of proof on landowners.
2
NEWS IN BRIEF
News in Brief —Compiled by Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team
Farm Bureau calls on EPA to enforce reasonable air quality standards— The
American Farm Bureau Federation is warning that the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to place further restrictions on air quality standards would damage agriculture and rural communities if implemented. The move to tighten already strict ozone standards would impose significant cost to farmers and ranchers without delivering a guaranteed benefit to the public, AFBF said in formal comments submitted to the EPA on March 9. Although it is a relatively small contributor to ozone levels, agriculture would be hit hard. Basic farming activities such as animal feeding, pesticide application and waste management would be further restricted even as proposed limits are at or near naturally occurring levels in some areas. Higher costs to meet special requirements for vehicles and fuel would be passed on to farmers and ranchers who depend on affordable energy to stay competitive in the global economy. (AFBF 3/10/15)
ers.com during the nomination period and submit a brief essay online or by mail that explains how the nominated farm mom contributes to her family, farm, community and agriculture. Nominations will be accepted through March 31. The five regional winners, which are selected from the semi-finalists, will be announced at the end of April, and each winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize. Profiles of the winners will then be posted to AmericasFarmers. com, where the public can vote for one national farm mom winner. Announced just prior to Mother’s Day, the national winner will receive an additional $5,000 cash prize above and beyond her regional prize, for a total of $10,000. For more information on the program or for complete eligibility requirements and official contest rules visit AmericasFarmers.com. Interested parties may also send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to America’s Farmers Mom of the Year, Attn: Sue Dillon, 349 Marshall Ave., Ste. 200, St. Louis, MO 63119. (American Agri-Women
retail outlets and via On Demand platforms During its theatrical debut in 2014, Farmland was shown in more than 170 theaters across the country including Regal Cinemas, Marcus Theatres, Carmike Cinemas, Landmark Theatres, and many key independent theaters. The film was also featured at film festivals in Atlanta, Cleveland, Nashville and Newport Beach, California. Produced by Moll’s Allentown Productions, Farmland was made with the support of the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (of which Farm Bureau is a member). Check out the official trailer and more information about the feature length documentary at Farmlandfilm.com and on Facebook. (USFRA 2/26/15)
American Farm Bureau files brief in egg law case—A California
The American Farm Bureau Federation hosted its inaugural “FUSION” conference February 13-16 in Nashville, Tennessee. The conference combined activities and sessions for young farmers and ranchers, women’s leadership volunteers, and promotion/education volunteers. Indiana Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer Committee won the ‘Can’-strucion award for an activity that challenged participants to construct something using cans. Indiana’s winning entry was a “Wishing Away Hunger” well. Besides bragging rights, the award also included a contribution toINFB Young Farmers’ Packing Away Hunger project. Photo courtesy of Derika Spaetti
producers from a competitive disadvantage resulting from the 2008 Proposition 2 ballot initiative that imposed cage size restrictions on California egg producers. The California law presents out-of-state egg producers with an untenable situation and, because all “consumers will suffer,” the states of Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma should be allowed to file suit against California on behalf of all their citizens, AFBF said. As for out-of-state egg producers, they “are placed between a rock and a hard place,” deciding whether to opt out of that sizeable market, or comply by incurring enormous capital costs associated with installing cage systems required by California law. The Congressional Research Service estimates compliance costs between $25 and $30 per hen. For a medium-sized farm with 300,000 hens, costs would be between $8 million and $9 million. (AFBF 3/11/15)
Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Moll’s feature-length documentary, Farmland, became available on DVD beginning March 3 at Walmart and Walmart. com. The availability of the documentary at retail locations across the country and online, provides another opportunity for viewers to experience the film, which offers a firsthand glimpse inside the world of farming by showcasing the lives of six young farmers and ranchers in their twenties. The film premiered in theaters across the country in spring 2014, and now is available on hard disk for rent and purchase at Netflix, Amazon, select
law that regulates agricultural production in other states is unconstitutional for multiple reasons, and a lower court ruling that barred other states from bringing suit against California on behalf of their citizens should be reversed, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. In a friend-of-the-court brief filed March 11 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (State of Missouri, et al. v. Harris, et al.), AFBF urged the court to find that six states have standing to challenge California’s egg law. A federal district court in California dismissed a lawsuit brought by officials from Missouri, Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska and Oklahoma on behalf of their citizens in October 2014, months before a new California law imposed hen cage size restrictions on any shell eggs sold in the state, including those produced out-of-state. California’s legislature enacted the law to protect California egg
Administrative/Finance Team
Legal Affairs Team
Public Relations Team
Regional Managers
President...................................... Don Villwock Vice President.................................Randy Kron Second Vice President................. Isabella Chism Chief Operating Officer/Treasurer....Mark Sigler Receptionist...................................... Kim Duke General Fund Accountant.............. Tiffanie Ellis Office Manager & Meeting Planner.Kay Keown Controller.......................................Elaine Rueff Administrative Assistant....................Jill Shanley Executive Secretary..................... Beverly Thorpe
Director & General Counsel ...Mark Thornburg Associate Counsel for Corporate Compliance & Nonprofit Affairs ............Sara MacLaughlin Legal Assistant........................... Maria Spellman
Director & Editor .......................Andy Dietrick Web Designer/Developer..............Diane Brewer Publications Managing Editor & Media Relations Specialist...... Kathleen Dutro Marketing & PR Specialist.............. Mindy Reef Communications Assistant......... Rachel Schrage
Wayne Belden (1 & 3) Greg Bohlander (6) Andrew Cleveland (4 & 6) Janice Deno (3) Jennifer Chandler Gish (9) Allison Hines (10) Amy Hutson (5) Susan Lawrence (2) John Newsom (1 & 2) Kermit Paris (8) Keegan Poe (5 & 8) Brad Ponsler (10) E.B. Rawles (7) Allie Rieth (4)
Deadline is March 31 for Monsanto’s ‘Farmers Mom of the Year’ contest—A panel of American Agri-Women judges will help select the semi-finalists for the 2015 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year contest, sponsored by Monsanto. Anyone can nominate their favorite farm mom, whether she’s their their mom, sister, aunt, daughter, friend or community member. Just visit AmericasFarm-
District Directors Larry Jernas (1) Kevin Ousley (2) Kevin Underwood (3) Steve Maple (4) Dave Wyeth (5)
Scott Trennepohl (6) Jeff Gormong (7) Mark Bacon (8) Philip Springstun (9) Robert Schickel (10)
Indiana Agricultural Law Foundation
3/10/15)
Farmland available at Walmart stores starting March 3—
Public Policy Team Director........................................ Megan Ritter Policy Development & Industry Relations.........................Bob Cherry National Government Relations Policy Advisor................. Kyle Cline Policy Advisor & Counsel..............Amy Cornell State Government Relations Director...................................... Katrina Hall Administrative Assistant .............. Diane Helton Administrative Assistant .............Wanda Hunter Senior Policy Advisor & Counsel..................................Justin Schneider Livestock Development Specialist... Greg Slipher Direct Retail Business Specialist........Bob White
Organizational Development Team Director............................................... Kim Vail Program Assistant........................ Ashley Beasley Field Services Program Director.....Chris Fenner Young Farmer & Women’s Program Coordinator................ Meggie Foster Membership Sales & Marketing Coordinator................ Chelsea Poe Program Assistant.......................Kathryn Rogers Education Coordinator.................... Julie Taylor Member Services Coordinator...........Anna Todd Program Assistant............................ Tracie Trent
CTIC, SARE and ASTA survey farmers on cover crops—Farmers are invited to share their thoughts on cover crops – whether they use cover crops themselves or not – in a national survey, now in its third year of collecting
Indiana Farm Bureau Inc./ Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Director of Affiliate Relations.................. Julie Klarich
valuable data on the increasingly popular management practice. The online survey at http://2014-2015covercropsurvey.questionpro.com takes a few minutes to complete. Farmers who complete the questionnaire are eligible for a drawing for one of two $100 Visa gift cards. The deadline to take the survey is March 27. The survey is being conducted by the Conservation Technology Information Center and sponsored by USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education program, the American Seed Trade Association and Corn+Soybean Digest. Data from this year’s survey will be compared to information from the two previous years in an effort to identify trends in cover crop practices or attitudes toward cover crops. Other questions will help conservation leaders zero in on details of cover crop practices. SARE, ASTA and scientists from Purdue University helped develop the questionnaire and will also help analyze the results. All answers are anonymous; respondents will be directed to another website at the end of the survey to enter the $100 Visa gift card drawing. (CTIC 3/2/15)
Address Letters & Questions To: Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. Box 1290, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1290. Phone: 1-800-327-6287 or (317) 692-7776 E-Mail Address: askus@infarmbureau.org Duplicate Magazines If you are receiving more than one copy of The Hoosier Farmer®, please cut out both labels and return them to the address above. Magazine Design and Layout Davis Graphic Design www.davisgraphics.com The Hoosier Farmer® is published 14 times per year by Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., P.O. Box 1290, Indianapolis, IN 46206, and is furnished as a service to voting members and others. Controlled circulation. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Hoosier Farmer® P.O. Box 1290 Indianapolis, IN 46206-1290. Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.
Director..................... John Shoup
March 23, 2015
www.thehoosierfarmer.com
3
STATE & NATION
Deadline is March 31 for yield updates, base acre reallocation and program election —By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team Farmers now have until March 31 to update yields and reallocate base acres in the federal farm program. The deadline was originally Feb. 27 but USDA’s Farm Service Agency has extended the final deadline to March 31. However, FSA noted, the deadline for farmers to choose between the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs remains March 31. Experts recommend that producers whose yields are higher under the new
formula get their program yields updated whether it affects their payments under the current farm bill or not. The reason is that the opportunity to update yields or reallocate base acres isn’t included in every farm bill. Therefore, it is in a farmer’s best interests to update yields because even if the updates don’t affect payments this time, they might for the next farm bill. The decision between ARC and PLC is final. It will determine program pay-
ments for the life of the farm bill, which ends with the 2018 crop year. The enrollment period will begin in mid-April extend into the summer.
INFB delegations hit the Hill in February and March —Story & photos By Andy Dietrick Public Relations Team Indiana Farm Bureau has maintained a strong presence in Washington, D.C. this spring, with two delegations of INFB leaders hitting Capitol Hill in February and March. The INFB board of directors and management team attended the AFBF Advocacy Conference Feb. 23-26, joining with leaders from other state Farm Bureaus for in-depth study of national issues important to agriculture. A group of 50 county Farm Bureau leaders traveled to Washington March 3-5 for INFB’s annual trip for new leaders, an opportunity
www.thehoosierfarmer.com
to experience firsthand the importance of creating and maintaining relationships with Indiana’s congressional delegation. Hill visits included time with Sen. Joe Donnelly, pictured with INFB second vice president Isabella
Chism, and with 6th District Congressman Luke Messer, pictured with INFB leaders from his district. More photos from both trips can be found on INFB’s Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/ infb/sets.
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Phil Karsting talks trade at a meeting of ag leaders held at the Indiana Soybean Alliance offices on Feb. 18. Shown with Karsting (from left) are Ted McKinney, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, along with farmers Mark Legan of Putnam County and Norman Voyles Jr. of Morgan County. Photo by Kathleen M. Dutro
TPA needed to boost trade prospects for Hoosier farmers —By Kyle Cline INFB National Policy Advisor International trade is once again in the spotlight and continues to receive much attention in Congress and within the agriculture community. Given the recent market realities and uncertainty surrounding the Renewable Fuel Standard (sometimes referred to as the “RFS”), farmers are increasingly calling attention to the need to open additional markets for their products to boost demand and farm incomes. However, Trade Promotion Authority, or “TPA,” is needed to ensure the completion of key trade agreements. This was the message delivered by state agriculture leaders during a recent visit by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Phil Karsting at the Indiana Soybean Alliance on Feb. 18. Currently, there are two historic trade agreements being negotiated by the U.S. government including the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. However, TPA – the tool needed to see these agreements to their successful conclusion – has expired and is yet to be renewed by Congress. Farm Bureau is asking Congress for the approval of TPA, an administrative tool that specifies consultation procedures by the administration with Congress during trade negotiations, outlines specific negotiating objectives, and authorizes a vote, without amendment, on
negotiated trade agreements. TPA helps our negotiators reach a beneficial result for U.S. agriculture by establishing an understanding of trade goals between the administration and Congress. There are some common misconceptions about what TPA is and will achieve. We are hearing of reservations from members of Congress and the public alike that the passage of TPA will remove all influence and authority in trade negotiations from Congress and transfer it to the administration, which is causing them to reconsider. However, what TPA really does is define the framework for considering trade agreements, and it actually includes provisions for Congress to influence and shape the final outcome. TPA is nothing new to the U.S. Congress. It’s been used by every presidential administration for over 30 years. Indiana is a leading producer and exporter of agricultural products, ranking 8th among the 50 U.S. states in the value of its agricultural exports, according to the USDA’s TPA fact sheet (www.fas.usda.gov/tradepromotion-authority-statespecific-information). As trade negotiations progress on the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, it is now more critical than ever that Congress pass the TPA to ensure their success. Indiana Farm Bureau urges members to contact Congress and ask their representatives to support TPA and highlight the importance of trade to agriculture.
March 23, 2015
4
2015 BILL WATCH
Farm Bureau lobbyists The 1,200+ bills filed during the 2015 session of the Indiana General Assembly address a multitude of issues – from aircraft licenses to zoning and a lot else in between. Indiana Farm Bureau’s Statehouse lobbyists can’t follow them all, of course, but they do keep track of three or four dozen bills, concentrating much of
Key points: significant and lasting relief for agriculture; tax fairness between property classes; and a property tax burden based on ability to pay.
their attention on those that affect INFB’s priority issues as identified by the INFB Board of Directors. Listed on this page are the priority bills that are supported by Farm Bureau, as well as other Farm Bureau-supported bills that may be of interest to members.
Key points: final outcome from a simple majority petition; more transparent process; no municipal taxes on farmland.
Key points: water is critical to farm quantity monitoring in priority areas statewide analysis of supply and dem
Bill W
Farm Bureau-‐supported bills before Bill Number
SB436
HB1485
SB330
SB309
Bill Title
Author
State and local taxation
Brandt Hershman (House sponsor: Tim Brown)
Local option income taxes
Jeffrey Thompson (Senate sponsor: Brandt Hershman)
Annexation
Phil Boots (House sponsor: Sharon Negele)
Electricity suppliers' service areas
Michael Crider (House sponsor: Eric Koch)
Sum Farmlan
Includes recommendations from last summ soil productivity factor for another year an value of $2,050 (scheduled to increase to 2016.
Provides for a transition from the county a income tax, the county economic develop income taxes for special purposes and spe Forced an Repeals the involuntary annexation proces annexing municipality to collect signatures Once the signatures have been collected, court.
Provides that after 5/12, a municipality th annexes land beyond the utility's service a Regulatory Commission to change the util
Water re SB473
Voluntary monitoring of water resources
Ed Charbonneau (House sponsor: Eric Koch)
Requires the DNR to establish a program u resource (groundwater and surface water) resources commission and the departmen
State budge HB1001
State biennial budget
Tim Brown (Senate sponsor: Luke Kenley)
Contains appropriations for the next two f
Other bills of intere SB312
Tank reporting and water threat minimization
Ed Charbonneau (House sponsor: Eric Koch)
SB249
Regulation of animal agricultural
Jean Leising (House sponsor: Don Lehe)
Requires Purdue to study the impact of lo buildings or other structures used in the b
Agency rulemaking and policymaking
David Wolkins (Senate sponsor: Susan Glick)
Provides that an agency's statutory author not include rulemaking or policymaking au requirement or that exceeds the authority
Volunteer firefighters serving in elected offices
Kevin Mahan (Senate sponsor: Randy Head)
Allows the executive or member of the fis as a volunteer firefighter for a volunteer fi provides fire protection services to the un
Grain buyer and warehouse operators
Don Lehe (Senate sponsor: Jean Leising)
Makes various changes in the laws govern raising the premium cap on the Indiana gr million.
Urban farming
Justin Moed (Senate sponsor: James Merritt)
In addition to some provisions regarding t council to study the growth of a local farm commodity and market news service.
HB1351
HB1433
HB1549
HB1248 March 23, 2015
Requires the owner or operator of an abo contain more than 660 gallons of liquid to DNR before 1/1/16.
www.thehoosierfarmer.com
5
2015 BILL WATCH
s focus on top ag issues The bill status shown in this chart is current as of The Hoosier Farmer’s March 16 print deadline. However, this can change on a daily basis. To get the latest information, visit the Indiana General Assembly’s website, http://iga.in.gov/, click on the “Bills” tab in the upper right corner, and then indicate by number which bill you are interested in.
Key points: increase funding for rural schools; more for local roads and bridges; maintain funding for rural Indiana.
ming; s; mand.
Watch
the 2015 Indiana General Assembly
mmary nd taxes
mer's tax commission, including delaying the nd establishing that the 2015 base farmland $2,420) would be used again for taxes paid in
Current Status (as of 3/12/15)
Passed 2/24 by Senate, 49-‐1; referred to House Ways & Means Committee
adjusted gross income tax, the county option Passed 2/23 by House, 96-‐0; referred to Senate Tax & Fiscal Policy Committee pment income tax, and the various local ecial projects to a single local income tax. nnexation ss, replacing it with a process that requires an s of landowners who support the annexation. Passed 2/24 by Senate, 34-‐16; referred to House Government & Regulatory Reform Committee the petition must be submitted to the local
hat owns and operates an electric utility and area may not petition the Indiana Utility lity's service area to include the annexed area.
Passed 2/17 by Senate, 42-‐7; assigned to House Utilities, Energy & Telecommunications Committee
esources
under which volunteers monitor a water ) and provide monitoring data to the natural nt.
Passed 2/3 by Senate, 50-‐0; referred to House Natural Resources Committee
et priorities
fiscal years (7/1/15-‐6/30/17).
Passed 2/24 by House, 69-‐29; referred to House Appropriations Committee
est to Farm Bureau
ove ground storage tank that is designed to o report information about the tank to the
Passed 2/24 by Senate, 50-‐0; referred to House Environmental Affairs Committee
ocal land use ordinances on the construction of breeding, feeding and housing of livestock.
Passed 2/9 by Senate, 46-‐3; passed 3/12 by House Ag Committee, 10-‐0
rity to regulate and implement programs does uthority that is not based upon a federal y granted to a federal or state agency.
Passed 2/16 by House, 78-‐18; referred to Senate Tax & Fiscal Policy Committee.
scal body of a city, town, or township to serve ire department or a fire department that nit.
Passed 2/23 by House, 94-‐2; referred to Senate Local Government Committee.
ning grain buyers and warehouses including rain indemnity fund from $15 million to $25
the promotion of agriculture, establishes a m and food product economy, and a www.thehoosierfarmer.com
Passed 2/9 by the House, 95-‐0 vote; passed 3/9 by Senate, 45-‐5, no amendments.
Passed 2/17 by House, 89-‐5; referred to Senate Ag Committee. March 23, 2015
6
AROUND INFB
Spring Conference celebrates volunteers —Story & photos By Mindy Reef Public Relations Team Indiana Farm Bureau’s annual Spring Conference put the spotlight on volunteers and teachers who excel at providing education on farming and agriculture. “Recognizing that the average person is several generations removed from the farm shapes our education efforts,” said Isabella Chism, INFB 2nd vice president. “Our best volunteers use methods and messages that resonate with this audience, especially children, who are naturally curious about the world around them.” Kerry Dull of Boone County received the Volunteer of the Year Award for her efforts to provide Ag in the Classroom programs to local schools. Dull was chosen from among 10 district winners of the Reaching Out Award. The award honors Ag in the Classroom volunteers who go above and beyond to educate youth about agriculture. District winners of the Reaching Out Award are: District 1 – Ruth and Larry
A Reaching Out Award winner for Ag in the Classroom was named for every district. From left: Larry and Ruth Willy, Lake County, District 1; Patty Baker, Wells County, District 4; Anne Smith, Wayne County, District 6; Michelle Stanger, Monroe County, District 7; Marlene Fudge, Rush County, District 8; Erna Lloyd, Spencer County, District 9; and Karen King, Clark County, District 10. Not pictured: Kerry Dull, Boone County, District 5, winner of the state Volunteer of the Year Award; Dwight Moody, Elkhart County, District 2; Linda VanderMolen, Jasper County, District 3.
The Women’s Leadership Committee auctioned the stools that Farm Bureau leaders sat on during the coffee time session early in Spring Conference. The stools were part of Friday night’s live auction, which brought in $3,435 for AgrAbility. From left, Marla Storm, District 3 education and outreach coordinator; Cindy Ramsey, District 8 education and outreach coordinator; and Janelle Burnworth, District 2 education and outreach coordinator.
Cindy Berning (left) and Melissa Berning (right), members in Allen County, try some Hoosier wine during the wine tasting session. Participants learned about the Indiana wine industry and how judges evaluate wines.
Willy, Lake County; District 2 – Dwight Moudy, Elkhart County; District 3 – Linda Vandermolen, Jasper County; District 4 – Patty Baker, Wells County; District 5 – Kerry Dull, Boone County; District 6 – Anne Smith, Wayne County; District 7 – Michelle Stanger, Monroe County; District 8 – Marlene Fudge, Carla Schenk (center), Posey County, concentrates on getting her arrangement just right. The flower arrangRush County; District 9 – ing session, led by former Young Farmer Committee member Brianna Chapman, owner of The Flower Girl in Erna Lloyd, Spencer County; Middleton, was part of the home/health track at Spring Conference. Conference attendees could choose from and District 10 – Karen King, sessions grouped by home/health, education/communication or farm/business tracks. Clark County. Two couples were selected to represent Indiana for the ACE Ambassador program. Richard and Linda VanderMolen of Jasper County and Jonathan and Kelly Shannon of Montgomery County will your plans for the future, with Indiana Farm Bureau Insur—By Rachel Schrage your agent.” ance. “If you’re participating travel to Virginia later this Public Relations Team year to learn about farming in In general, farm policies in agritourism, selling at a exclude business activities farmers market or taking part that part of the country. After With summer drawing and other locations. This in a CSA, talk to your agent. they return, ACE Ambassadors near, Indiana Farm Bureau We can make your coverage will give presentations on Insurance wants to make sure means that if you are doing their trip at various meetings. more than simply growing match your vision for your that you understand which Two counties received farm, and we want you to be activities are and are not cov- and selling crops or livestock grants for agriculture education on your farm, you’ll likely covered if you have a loss.” ered by your farm policy. and promotion. Fulton County need an exception on your “To put it plainly, if you’re “Farms can easily expand policy to cover these activigrowing tomatoes and selling Farm Bureau will receive $200 beyond the activities covered ties. them at a farm stand on your to buy an egg incubator/turner in a basic farm policy,” said “If you’re processing your property, you’ll be covered by to teach students about chickDan Poledna, director of P&C a basic farm policy,” Poledna ens and egg hatching, while underwriting for Indiana Farm livestock or crops in any way Benton County Farm Bureau or performing a business acsaid. “When you start makBureau Insurance. “You want to protect your farm and your tivity on your farm, your basic ing salsa and selling it at the will receive $250 for an agricultural literacy program in a farm policy probably won’t farmers market, you’ll need family, so it is vitally imporlocal elementary school with cover you,” said John Nagle, more coverage.” tant to discuss the activities a high volume of low-income farm training specialist for happening on your farm, and
Coverage may need to expand as farm activities expand
March 23, 2015
families. Seven members received scholarships to attend the National Ag in the Classroom conference in June. Carrie Parmenter, Posey County; Michelle Stanger, Monroe County; Erna Lloyd, Spencer County; Dwight Moudy, Elkhart County; Linda Moudy, Elkhart County; Patty Baker, Wells County; and Whitney Sauerheber, Harrison County, will travel to Louisville, Ky., to learn more about delivering effective lessons on agriculture and farming. Three teachers also received scholarships to attend the conference: Hope Light, a third grade teacher at Vinton Elementary in Tippecanoe County; Tiffnei Tague, kindergarten teacher at Vinton Elementary in Tippecanoe County; and Joy Davis, a high school nutrition and wellness teacher in the Fayette School Corporation, Fayette County. Auctions at the event raised money for two charities. A live auction on Friday night brought in $3,435 for AgrAbility, a program that assists farmers with disabilities. A silent auction held during the conference raised $2,881 for Distinxion, founded by Steve and Lorri Zeller, who served as keynote speakers at the event.
www.thehoosierfarmer.com
7
COMMUNICATION
There are many opportunities to tell your farm’s story —By Rachel Schrage Public Relations Team Farmers have been told for years that consumers want to feel connected to the people who are growing their food. In the age of social media, you have many opportunities to share the story of your farm. Dan Toland, a social media specialist, said sharing your story authentically is most important. “Backup what you say with your actions online,
and show that you authentically care,” Toland says. “That goes a long way.” According to research by the Center for Food Integrity,
common values are three times more important to consumers than facts. This means that they want to see common ground between
themselves and farmers. They want a safe, abundant and affordable food supply and animals who are well cared for – show them that you do, too. You’re not just a farmer, after all. You’re also a consumer. Social media doesn’t have to be a battle ground. In fact, it can be a good way to do business. “Good businesses that tell their stories the right way online, that connect with their audience, are the ones that get ahead,” Toland said.
White-Reinhardt mini-grants benefit ag literacy —From the AFBF Communications Department The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has awarded 23 $500 mini-grants to communities across the nation. The grants are awarded through the Foundation’s White-Reinhardt Fund for Education program. The grants are allocated through county and state
Farm Bureaus and are used to create new agricultural literacy projects or expand on existing agricultural literacy efforts. Criteria for selecting winners included: the effectiveness of demonstrating a strong connection between agriculture and education; how successfully the project enhances learner engagement in today’s food, fiber and fuel systems; and the
processes and timelines for accomplishing project goals. Indiana’s Wayne County Farm Bureau was one of the 24 winners. Its mini-grant will be used to help the county expand its Ag in the Classroom project to include five new lessons on six of the main commodities raised in Indiana. Each lesson includes an accurate ag book and an activity related to the informa-
tion discussed in the book. “Teaching young rural and urban students about the importance of agriculture and the vital role it plays in our everyday lives is the primary goal of the mini-grant program,” said Julie Tesch, executive director of the Foundation. “The program was developed to help Farm Bureau members by providing free tools to share with educators in their communities.”
The White-Reinhardt Fund for Education is a project of the foundation in cooperation with the American Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership Committee. The fund honors two former committee chairwomen, Berta White and Linda Reinhardt, who were trailblazers in early national efforts to expand the outreach of agricultural education and improve agricultural literacy.
Members Matter Who’s who at INFB
Membership growth at forefront for new employee
—By Kathleen M. Dutro Public Relations Team
—By Mindy Reef Public Relations Team The Indiana Farm Bureau staff grew by one this month. This new employee’s task: to grow the organization’s membership. Chelsea Poe, a native of Texas, joined the organizational development team on March 9. Poe’s position, which is a new one for INFB, is membership sales and marketing coordinator. In this role, she will coordinate the promotion, marketing and sales of Farm Bureau membership. “Increasing membership ultimately increases our presence in statewide legislation, policy development and agricultural awareness,” she said. “This presence directly impacts and benefits our members who are unable to be on the forefront of these issues every day.”
www.thehoosierfarmer.com
Winners announced in two membership challenges
Chelsea Poe and her husband, Kalen. Photo courtesy of Chelsea Poe
Poe holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s degree in agricultural communications and journalism from Texas A&M University. She grew up on a cow/calf operation in central Texas. Prior to joining INFB, she was the marketing programs
coordinator for the Red Angus Association of America. She also worked as youth livestock coordinator for the state of Kansas. She lives near Franklin with her husband, Kalen, and their two border collies. The couple raises show lambs for Poe Hampshires.
Increasing the number of voting members is Indiana Farm Bureau’s priority this year, and members have so far been asked to help through three specific campaigns. Attendees to the state convention in December, the Young Farmer Conference in January and the Spring Conference in March were all given opportunities to help with this effort. At each event, attendees were given specially coded membership forms – one each for the convention, the YF Conference and the Spring Conference. Each person who signs up a new member using one of these special applications by the various deadlines becomes eligible to be entered into a drawing for a special prize. The winners of the prizes for the convention and YF Conference campaigns have already been selected. Pippa
Stam of Bartholomew County won a $500 Farm Bureau Bank gift card through the convention membership incentive, and Orville Haney of Kosciusko County won a $300 Farm Bureau Bank gift card through the Young Farmer membership incentive. The membership incentive for Spring Conference is still ongoing though, said Kim Vail, director of INFB’s Organizational Development Team. People who attended Spring Conference and received the special membership form have until April 17 to sign a new member using those forms. After April 17, the names of three winners will be drawn, and each will win a $100 Farm Bureau Bank gift card. There will be other membership challenges and new membership initiatives as the year progresses, Vail said.
March 23, 2015
8
AROUND INDIANA
Lucas Oil founder feels a special connection to agriculture —By Andy Dietrick Public Relations Team The name Forrest Lucas means different things to different people. That’s understandable, considering the wide range of business and personal interests the man has. For some, he is simply the sign on the stadium where the Indianapolis Colts play. For millions of others, he is the business force behind a global fuel additive empire. For those who know his true passion, Lucas holds a special title: farmer. As a former long-haul trucker, Lucas personally experienced the lack of quality lubricants and additives in the trucking industry. To meet that need, he and his wife, Charlotte, formed Lucas Oil Products in California in 1989. But today, Corydon is home to the company’s most advanced manufacturing and distribution center. More than 100 of the company’s 183 products are formulated
and packaged on a state-ofthe-art production line that snakes through a 250,000 square foot factory. An additional 300,000 square feet next door is primed for expansion. When asked ‘why Harrison County?’ Lucas is quick to answer. “I have a history here. I knew about the place. My children were born in Crawford and Harrison counties, so it was a natural,” he said. “And it (Indiana) is right in the middle of the population, when you think about it, and we sell to every auto parts store and truck stop in the country, so I couldn’t think of any place better than here.” Though Lucas spends a great deal of time in southern Indiana, his respite from Lucas Oil Products is his Missouri ranch and the Lucas Cattle Company. He runs 2,400 head of Simmental cattle on his 16,000-acre ranch, and the company proudly offers some of the finest Simmental genetics in America. As a Missouri live-
stock owner, Lucas battled through one of that state’s most contentious and expensive ballot initiatives. The experience exposed him to the goals and tactics of national animal rights groups and prompted him to form Protect the Harvest. “We’ve got some good people out there who are really getting beat up on by extremists,” he explained. “Nobody ever thought that we’d have to fight against people who are trying to do away with our right to farm or grow food or own pets.” Protect the Harvest is focused on state legislative issues that negatively impact agriculture. You can learn more at protecttheharvest.com. But Lucas also recognizes that our courts are rapidly becoming a battleground for animal rights groups. That is why he recently made a very generous $25,000 contribution to the Indiana Agricultural Law Foundation. “These people (farmers) need some help, they need
Forrest Lucas, IALF executive director John Shoup and INFB District 10 director Robert Schickel tour the Lucas Oil Products manufacturing plant in Corydon. Photo by Andy Dietrick
to know somebody’s trying to help them, and I can’t go in and individually help all of them,” he said. “But this (IALF) is an organization that already knows what’s
going on, they just needed some funding. And I would certainly encourage others to do the same. This is a big deal, for Indiana and America.”
MEMBER BENEFIT
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Several hundred operators of small Indiana farms came together in Hendricks County for the third annual Small Farms Conference. The conference included workshops, a trade show and sessions on a variety of topics, including pollinators, soil management and vegetable production. For updates and information on the 2016 conference, visit www.facebook.com/PurdueExtensionSmallFarms. Photos by Rachel Schrage
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Calendar of Events March 24 30
District 1 spring meeting, Fulton County Museum. District 4 spring family meeting, Hartford City.
April 8, 9 11 25 25
INFB Board of Directors meeting. INFB Leaders in Action, session 2, French Lick. Earth Day Indiana, White River State Park, Indianapolis. Mutt Strut, Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
March 23, 2015
ID #8000002053 must be mentioned at time of reservation.
For reservations call: 877.670.7088
ID #8000002053 must be mentioned at time of reservation.
For reservations call: 877.670.7088 www.thehoosierfarmer.com