August 31, 2009

For more information: Bob Kraft, 317-692-7810

Andy Dietrick, 317-692-7818, adietrick@infarmbureau.org 

Kathleen Dutro, 317-692-7824, kdutro@infarmbureau.org 

Note to editors, news directors: Video showing IFB President Don Villwock discussing some of the key issues discussed during the delegate session can be found on Indiana Farm Bureau’s website at www.infarmbureau.org/Media.aspx?id=6466.

Taxes, government reorganization major issues for Farm Bureau delegates

            Among the major issues for Indiana Farm Bureau in the coming months will be property taxes, local government reorganization and a public relations effort to explain modern agriculture to the non-farming public.

            At its annual policy-setting session, held Aug. 29 in Indianapolis, nearly 300 delegates representing every county in the state gathered for an all-day discussion on issues of importance to agriculture and to set the policy that will guide IFB through the coming year.

            Other topics discussed by the delegates included wind and other forms of renewable energy, livestock agriculture and agricultural labor.

            “After much debate, the delegates approved language supporting the present system of county commissioners and county councils,” said IFB President Don Villwock. The newly approved policy also includes language in opposition to the “idea of a single person as county executive” while supporting the “balanced reorganization of county government, other local government units, and local government services” so long as it doesn’t diminish rural representation.

            A new section on wind energy was added by delegates that supports the concept of the development of wind energy in Indiana.

            Delegates also reaffirmed Farm Bureau’s support for livestock agriculture – and agriculture in general – for farms of all size. Added this year was language in opposition to regulating agriculture production “as it pertains to greenhouse gas, dust and noise” as well as language in opposition to the “imposition of livestock moratoria by local officials or the state.”

The delegates also indicated their support for a statewide public relations campaign to communicate to the public the “importance of current agricultural practices.”

 “Twenty-six of the 92 county Farm Bureaus sent in resolutions in support of the PR effort, and 79 have pledged money in support of this campaign,” Villwock said, adding that the goal is for all 92 counties to contribute.

The issue of ag labor was discussed in depth during the 2008 delegate session, with the end result being the creation of a farm labor task force. That task force met several times and crafted language that was approved by the delegate body. The new language, Villwock said, addresses the need for “stable, accessible, legal labor force” that is needed not only seasonally but year round, and emphasizes that the issue needs to be solved on a national level.

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