Nearly 60 farming families honored with the Hoosier Homestead Award

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Don Lamb presented nearly 60 farming families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture this month.?

To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years, and consist of more than 20 acres. If less than 20 acres, the farm must produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year. Indiana farms may qualify for three honors: Centennial Award for 100 years of ownership, Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years of ownership and the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership.

Since the program's inception in 1976, over 6,100 families have received the Hoosier Homestead Award. Many past awardees can be identified by the sign proudly displayed in front of the family farm or field.

Click below to read more and find a full list of awardees.

$15 million available for small meat processors in low interest loans via Department of Agriculture

ISDA will soon administer loan funding for small and very small meat processors in need of capital for meat expansion projects through the Indiana Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP).

MPILP is a $15 million revolving loan program that assists Indiana meat and poultry packers and processors with access to affordable capital for expansion projects. This intermediary lending program addresses critical meat expansion needs, which developed and have continued since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This funding was from the USDA Rural Development Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program with the goal of increasing meat and poultry processing capacity, which in turn increases competition, supports producer income, and strengthens the food supply chain to lower costs for families and create jobs and economic opportunities in rural areas.

Click below to read the full release.

National Ag Day celebrations

Earlier this month, Gov. Eric Holcomb proclaimed?March 19 as National Ag Day in Indiana.

Each year, National Ag Day highlights agriculture?s contributions to our state and local economies and allows producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across America to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by American agriculture.

Indiana is the ninth largest agricultural producing state in the country. The state has over 94,000 farmers, and agricultural production is valued at over $18 billion. Indiana farmers cultivate over 14.6 million acres and establish over 47,000 soil conservation practices each year which kept an estimated 1.8 million tons of soil in the farm fields.?

Click below to read the full release.

Indiana Grown Member Symposium

Indiana Grown members and agritourism operators from across the state met up earlier this month to attend the Indiana Grown Symposium.?

Attendees heard from industry professionals on a multitude of topics, such as farm finances, operator liabilities, hiring and training employees, succession planning, zoning and insurance, determining your product pricing and more. View photos from the event here.?

2024 Sweets and Snacks Expo

Indiana snack and confectionery companies are invited to exhibit in the Indiana Pavilion at the 2024 Sweets and Snacks Expo from May 14 ? 16 at the Indianapolis Convention Center. With over 800 exhibitors, Sweets and Snacks Expo is the largest U.S. tradeshow dedicated to candy and snacks. The Indiana Pavilion was created to highlight Indiana companies on the exposition show floor through amplifying brand presence and providing a competitive advantage for exhibitors. Companies exhibiting in the pavilion will receive a 10? x 10? booth at the discounted?National Confectioners Association?member rate. Companies interested in exhibiting in the Indiana Pavilion should contact International Trade Director, Drew Sherman.

March 12: Governor proclaims March 19 as National Ag Day
Find the full release?here

March 14: $15 million available for small meat processors in low interest loans via Department of Agriculture
Find the full release?here

March 22: Long-standing farming families honored with the Hoosier Homestead Award
Find the full release?here

Cover Crop Premium Discount Program
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Farm Storage Facility Loan Program
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Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants
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April 8, 2024 | Indiana Total Solar Eclipse
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Department Coordinator | Indianapolis, IN
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Indiana FFA Assistant Director of Leadership Development | Indianapolis, IN
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