More than 40 Indiana Farm Bureau women met with their state senators and representatives during the organization's annual Women's Leadership Committee Legislator Appreciation Day.

INFB and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Indiana announces Ben Wicker as the first executive director of the Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance.

Indiana Farm Bureau held its annual Young Farmer Leadership Conference this past weekend in Indianapolis. County young farmer programs and individual young farmers were recognized for activities, service, leadership and achievement.

Cindy Ramsey of Shelbyville was elected to represent the Midwest on the American Farm Bureau Federation Women's Leadership Committee board. Ramsey serves on the Indiana Farm Bureau Women's Committee representing District 8 (Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Fayette, Franklin, Johnson, Rush, Shelby and Union counties).

Three Indiana Farm Bureau districts are starting 2018 with new representatives on the Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. and Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance board of directors. Kermit J. Paris, Dr. Marybeth Feutz and Bob Geswein were voted in by delegates from District 8, 9 and 10, respectively, in late 2017.

Indiana Farm Bureau State Young Farmer Committee representatives Dan and Kelly Snipes have been chosen to serve on the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer & Rancher Committee for 2018-2020. The Snipeses are fourth generation farmers and live in Rochester.

Isabella Chism, second vice-president of Indiana Farm Bureau, announced at the state convention that the 2018 Book of the Year is John Deere, That's Who! Written by Tracy Nelson Maurer, author of more than 100 titles for children and young adults; and illustrated by Tim Zeltner, the book tells the true story of how a young blacksmith from Vermont changed farming forever. The book will play an important role in the organization's ag literacy efforts in 2018.

Encouraged by the success of Indiana soil health and nutrient management efforts, the Indiana USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Indiana Farm Bureau and twelve other partners have formed the Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance (IANA). Indiana State Conservationist Jane Hardistry announced the formation of IANA at the Indiana Farm Bureau state convention in French Lick. The standalone nonprofit group is currently seeking an executive director to lead the partnership.

Deidra Gottbrath will represent Indiana Farm Bureau at the Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet in Nashville, Tenn. during the American Farm Bureau National Convention in early January 2018. Gottbrath won the state-level Discussion Meet at the INFB state convention.

Two candidates were nominated for second vice president at Indiana Farm Bureau's state convention on Dec. 9: current second vice president Isabella Chism and former District 1 education and outreach coordinator Deb Walsh. Upon her re-election, Chism pledged to work with members "to form a unfified voice for agriculture."

Indiana Farm Bureau member Harold Kleine of Allen County was recognized for the fourth year in a row with the Premier Performer award at INFB's annual state convention. The Premier Performer award, along with the five Top Performer awards were given to members for their membership promotion efforts. In addition, 7 County Farm Bureaus were singled out for membership retention with the District Defender award. Clark County received the top county award, the Superior Defender for hitting the retention mark and signing the highest number of new members.

Indiana Farm Bureau honored Farm Bureaus at its annual state convention for achievements in image awareness, membership and member experience. Benton, Clark, Jay, LaPorte, Shelby and Warrick counties received Impact Awards, while 49 counties attained County Recognition Program gold and platinum status.

Indiana Farm Bureau's annual Thanksgiving market basket survey shows that Indiana shoppers will pay more for their Thanksgiving meals than in 2016. Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie filling and relish tray veggies are up; rolls, peas, whipping cream and pie shells are down.

Indiana’s Elkhart County Farm Bureau was selected by the American Farm Bureau Federation as one of this year’s County Activities of Excellence (CAE) Awards program winners. Elkhart CountyFarm Bureau won for its involvement in a robust Cowboy Ethics program.

Indiana Farm Bureau and John Deere have joined forces to offer discounts on John Deere equipment and products as a new benefit to Indiana Farm Bureau members. As of September 11, 2018, new members will have to wait 30 days to use the discounts in order to ensure that their INFB memberships are valid.

Hoosiers preparing meals at home will once again be enjoying lower food prices than the national average based on the fall market survey conducted by Farm Bureau. The toal cost of 16 standard shopping list items is $44.85 in Indiana, while the national average is $51.13.