With the addition of two new staff members, Leslie Hickman and Blaire Bennett, and the promotion of a current staff member, Laura Ruhlman, Indiana Farm Bureau continues to strengthen its county Farm Bureau support structure.

Two Indiana county Farm Bureaus were chosen to receive 2018 County Activities of Excellence (CAE) Awards from the American Farm Bureau Federation. Both were honored for their unique community-based farm-to-fork events.

Indiana Farm Bureau has released the names of the 91 candidates endorsed in the Nov. 6, 2018, general election by its nonpartisan political action committees - ELECT and AgELECT. INFB's director of policy Katrina Hall also explains the organization's process for endorsing ag- and rural-friendly candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, the Indiana Senate and the Indiana House.

It's time to submit nominations for the Indiana Certified Crop Adviser of the Year Award, which honors advisers who excel in helping farmers in nutrient management, soil and water management, pest management and crop production.

Officials from INFB and four central European agricultural agencies signed a memo of understanding to seek out and grow collaborative opportunities.

Indiana Farm Bureau is pleased to announce the young farmers who were chosen to receive its Excellence in Agriculture Award and Achievement Award for 2018. The Excellence in Agriculture Award goes to Jonathan Spaetti and Derika Lynam-Spaetti. Neal and Lydia Wolheter are the Achievement Award winners.

Indiana Farm Bureau voting members gathered together on Saturday, Aug. 25 for the annual delegate session to set policy direction and positions for the coming year. This was the second year that the session was held at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex. The delegate session is one step in the policy-making process, which includes grassroots policy development at the county level, resolutions committee deliberations at the district level, and advocacy during the general assembly and throughout the year.

Indiana Farm Bureau will again host activities and sponsor events at the Indiana State Fair to showcase "Agriculture is Everywhere." Favorites such as the Ag Fact Adventure scavenger hunt; Barn Theater showings of farmer and agribusiness member videos; free popcorn samples and drawing for a year's supply of popcorn; and the three-day Taste from Indiana Farms food tasting and educational event will once again take place in the Farm Bureau Building. This year, INFB also is sponsoring Animal Town and The Supreme Drive, which both showcase Indiana's farm animals.

Shoppers in Indiana will find prices of traditional cookout foods are similar to the past two summers. Indiana Farm Bureau's annual Summer Market Basket survey results show that it will cost a little over $52 to feed 10 people. And as Isabella Chism, INFB 2nd vice president, reminds us, when grocery prices drop, the average food dollar shared by farm families does, too.

Husband and wife farmers marketers and Farm Bureau members Ben and Casey Shireman of Clark County and Jonathan and Kelly Shannon of Montgomery County talk about the satisfaction they feel selling directly to local consumers.

Thirteen Hoosier college students and two adults pursuing advanced educational opportunities were awarded scholarships from Indiana Farm Bureau and the Farm Bureau Foundation.

Jefferson County Farm Bureau, Inc. hosted an event in honor of longtime Farm Bureau member and leader Mr. John Gray, at its Madison office on May 7. Gray recently made a substantial donation to Jefferson County Farm Bureau, ensuring a lasting legacy that will provide ag educational programs and scholarships. State and county Farm Bureau leadership, past and present, were on hand to honor Gray, along with several generations of his family.

Thanks to an Indiana Farm Bureau county development grant, Farm Bureaus in Clinton, Decatur, Jay, Pulaski and Rush counties will receive a financial boost toward their local agriculture education efforts. This year’s new or expanded projects will focus on everything from grain bin safety to an after-school healthy cooking club for elementary students.

It's time for Indiana Farm Bureau's Spring Market Basket survey. A family meal of 16 common food items is expected to cost Hoosiers less than $5 a person.

INFB expresses support for Indiana dairies who must find buyers for their milk. Twenty-seven Indiana dairy farmers were recently notified by Dean Foods that it will no longer purchase their product as of June 1, 2018.

In his review of the 2018 General Assembly session, INFB president Randy Kron sees the passing of House Enrolled Act 1065 as a step in the right direction toward improving rural internet access.

In recognition of National Ag Day on March 20, Indiana Farm Bureau celebrates the impact of agriculture on the state's economy; the variety of products grown and raised in Indiana; and the abundance of family-owned Hoosier farms.

Ag in the Classroom volunteer educators were honored by Indiana Farm Bureau at the 2018 Spring Conference, its annual educational and networking event. Marlene Fudge of Rush County was named the Volunteer of the Year, five volunteers received Reaching Out Awards; six were recognized for their 25 years of service; and county Farm Bureau programs in White and Clinton counties won ag education and promotion grants.