Stay Informed

Despite the nontraditional format, Indiana Farm Bureau got a lot done during its first all-virtual convention, held Dec. 11-12.

More than 750 people registered for the convention, where they enjoyed some live music, attended general and special interest sessions and heard from INFB President Randy Kron, Gov. Eric Holcomb, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall.

During the annual meeting, delegates re-elected by acclamation Isabella Chism of Howard County to her fifth term as INFB 2^nd vice president.

“It has been a privilege serving alongside each of you and I look forward to continuing to work with you for the betterment of agriculture,” said Chism. “We will take the best of what we have learned through our experiences during the pandemic as we look ahead to 2021 and beyond.”

In addition to serving on the INFB board of directors, Chism chairs the State Women’s Leadership Committee. She also serves as the vice chair of the American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee and is currently running for chair. That election will take place this month during the AFBF virtual convention.

Many individuals, county Farm Bureaus and programs were recognized at the convention. Among those recognized:

Legislator of the Year – State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, was honored as Legislator of the Year. Charbonneau was the sponsor of Senate Bill 184, which passed this spring and allowed INFB to offer health care benefits to its members.

“I will remember it forever,” Charbonneau said when thanking INFB for the award. “It is awesome, and it’s the most significant award I’ve ever received.” He added, though, that he doesn’t think he deserves all the credit.

“It was done because of you, it was done because of the grassroots network, it was done because of the impeccable reputation” of Farm Bureau, he said.

INFB Book of the Year – INFB announced just before the convention that its 2021 Book of the Year is Tales of the Dairy Godmother: Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish, written by Viola Butler and illustrated by Ward Jenkins. The annual Book of the Year is part of INFB’s Agriculture in the Classroom program.

AgELECT virtual silent auction – A total of $16,344 was raised by the auction, held virtually Nov. 16-Dec. 7.

Membership awards

Premier Performers (presented to the volunteers who write the highest number of new voting members) – Karen Duckworth, Morgan County, 12 voting members; Matt Maxwell, Porter County, 12 voting members; Jan Uhlmansiek, Dearborn County, 12 voting members.

District Defenders (presented to the counties with the highest overall retention percentage of voting members) – District 1, Pulaski, 96.41%; District 2, Kosciusko, 96.06%; District 3, Jasper, 96.58%; District 4, Huntington, 96.35%; District 6, Hamilton, 96.87%; District 7, Clay, 96.20%; District 8, Shelby, 97.58%; District 9, Orange, 96.74%; District 10, Harrison, 97.53%.

Superior Defender (presented to the county that achieves 96% voting member retention and has the highest number of new memberships written by volunteers) – Kosciusko County.

Top insurance agents (presented to the agents who sign the highest number of new members and new voting members) – Steven Hall, Hancock County, 220 total new members; Melissa Mead, Washington County, 33 new voting members.

County Recognition

County Activities of Excellence (CAE) Program – Designed to celebrate innovative activities developed by county Farm Bureaus, the program offers five categories. The top county in each category wins $2,000 to be applied toward improving one of its programs.

• CAE Category 1 (Create and promote a positive image of agriculture; “Tell our story”) – Allen County for its virtual auction and community outreach.
• CAE Category 2 (Create a positive member experience) – Dearborn County for its milk giveaway program.
• CAE Category 3 (Grow membership in a consistent and sustainable way) – Wells County for its drive-through annual meeting and membership drive.
• CAE Category 4 (Continue successful advocacy efforts at all levels) – Warrick County for its virtual “Meet the Candidates” event.
• CAE Category 5 (Improve awareness of Indiana Farm Bureau as a valuable resource) – Johnson County for its community food drive.

Foundation Fundamentals – Eighty-four county Farm Bureaus qualified for this award by earning at least 150 points in the Foundation Fundamentals section of the CAE.

Young Farmers & Ag Professionals

Discussion Meet – The contest was won by Nathan Bush of Johnson County. The runners-up were: Jessica Baggerman, Huntington County; Grace Moster, Franklin County; Hannah Walker, Washington County. Bush will represent Indiana in the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet, to be held virtually this month.

Miscellaneous

Farm Family of the Year (sponsored by Beck’s Hybrids and Indiana AgriNews) – Stephenson Family, Franklin, Indiana.

Rural Teacher of the Year (sponsored by the Indiana Small and Rural Schools Association and INFB) – Julie Evans, Bloomfield Junior-Senior High School.

Hovde Award – Dr. Mark Russell, professor and head of the department of agricultural sciences education and communication at Purdue University.