Stay Informed

Indiana Farm Bureau is gearing up for its 2021 policy development campaign. Policy development begins with county Farm Bureau members developing policy recommendations that address local, state and federal issues pertaining to or impacting Hoosier agriculture.

“At our core, INFB is a grassroots organization, which is why members are encouraged to participate in the county policy development process,” said Andy Tauer, executive director of public policy. “One member or idea can have a major impact for our members and agriculture.”

Policy recommendations developed at the county level, which are due June 1, are then submitted to the home office and will be reviewed by policy advisory groups (PAGs). The PAGs will then review and/or include any additional policy recommendations and submit all recommendations to the resolutions committee by June 30. 

The 2021 PAGs might look a little different this year. The PAGs were combined into broad policy topics, so the issues that relate to one another can be discussed and considered in full. The 2021 policy groups are as follows:

• Diversified agriculture.
• Education.
• Farm policy.
• Government and fiscal policy.
• Livestock and animal care.
• Property rights.
• Transportation.
• Water resources.

Next on the policy development calendar is the meeting of the resolutions committee. This year, the resolutions committee will meet Aug. 3-4.

The resolutions committee, made up of members from across the state, will review the policy recommendations submitted by counties, districts, policy advisory groups, the State Young Farmers & Ag Professionals Committee and Collegiate Farm Bureaus. Committee members will then determine which policy recommendations will be considered by the full delegate body during the INFB policy session on Aug. 28.

Questions about policy development can be sent to ppt@infb.org.