As I look back on 2023, I am proud of our many accomplishments, particularly regarding our new strategic plan.
The Advocacy and Engagement Think Tanks provided a workable way to get input on the strategic plan from our grassroots members. Groups of members came together several times to consider how to implement the strategic plan, and they made recommendations for new programs that will be rolled out in 2024. They will continue to provide input and make recommendations on an ongoing basis.
To continue efforts to share knowledge and hear from members, INFB gathered landowners impacted by a proposed carbon sequestration project, sought policy input and delivered a webinar and other materials to share knowledge on the subject.
Another example is the water and taxation task forces that were created to strategically address the needs of members.
We also received input from members through a spring survey with 1,163 responses and a fall survey with 2,500 responses. These surveys are helping INFB to improve policy, improve programming and increase our understanding of what those members need.
The strategic plan also calls for increased engagement in INFB programs by members. In 2023, engagement increased by more than 15% with 2,303 unique members engaged in state programs.
No review of 2023 would be complete without looking at membership. I’d like to thank volunteers, staff and Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance for helping us grow total membership by 2,697 members. This is the eighth consecutive year of membership growth for INFB – and that also is an accomplishment of which we can all be proud.