November 20, 2009

For more information: Kathleen M. Dutro, 317-692-7824, kdutro@infarmbureau.org

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

Property taxes, animal agriculture remain IFB’s priorities, Villwock says

Among the challenges facing Indiana agriculture, according to Indiana Farm Bureau President Don Villwock, are unfair property taxes, animal extremists, and poor commodity market prices, particularly in the livestock sector.

Delivering his annual address at IFB’s annual convention, held Nov. 19-21 in Fort Wayne, Ind., Villwock said the practices of both grain and livestock farmers are "coming under fire."

Fixing property taxes will remain one of IFB’s top priorities, Villwock said.

"You know these taxes are not fair, they aren’t equal, and the proposed 1-2-3 caps should not be put into the state Constitution," he added.

Agriculture’s fight with animal extremists is far from over, Villwock noted.

"The educational disconnect between non-farm citizens and farmers is becoming greater all the time," Villwock said. "These people have not seen, much less visited, a farm for almost a generation. The trips to grandpa and grandma’s farm are not on anyone’s calendar anymore. The American consumer doesn’t know any farmers, doesn’t know how we raise our livestock or how we produce any of their food, feed, fuel or fiber."

For too many years, Villwock said, farmers haven’t been aggressive enough in telling agriculture’s story. Now, he said, urban neighbors are being influenced by extremists.

"As Harry Truman once said, ‘If you can’t convince them, confuse them,’" Villwock said, adding that this tactic has been used by animal extremists. But that’s starting to change, he added.

"Beginning last February, the Indiana ag community said ‘Enough is enough.’ We united in our efforts to prepare to win," he said. "For the first time in my memory, all commodity groups, under the leadership of Indiana Department of Agriculture, came together. Indiana’s beef, sheep and pork producer organizations, along with the dairy and poultry associations, combined with the corn and soybean groups, are working hand in hand with your Indiana Farm Bureau."

In addition to increasing cooperation and educational efforts, farmers also have another important job, Villwock said.

"We cannot just give lip service to protecting our streams, to preventing manure spills or to being a good neighbor," he said. "Our actions speak louder than words. Unfortunately, our whole industry is often judged by its worst actor. If we are to maintain that unwritten contract with society to do the things we do in agriculture, we must exceed our city cousins’ expectations."

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