Contact:
Colleen Baker
317-692-7822
317-242-8907
cbaker@infb.org

(Indianapolis) – July 21, 2021 – Registration is now open for Indiana Farm Bureau’s annual Drainage School. The workshop will be presented both virtually and in person at INFB headquarters in Indianapolis. Farmers, public officials, agency personnel, attorneys and the general public are encouraged to attend. The seminar will take place Wednesday, Sept. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

In-person attendance, which includes lunch, is $50 per INFB member and $100 per non-member. Virtual attendance costs $25 per individual.

Drainage School attendees will gain a greater understanding of dispute resolution, and laws and regulations that control the drainage of land in Indiana. Speakers also will share relevant case studies and actionable steps for landowners and those working with landowners.

“At INFB, we are committed to providing education and resources to our members, as well as anyone else who is interested in expanding their knowledge of agriculture,” said INFB President Randy Kron. “The goal of Drainage School is for attendees to walk away more informed about the laws impacting drainage and better equipped to make decisions on their farms.”  Kron noted that this year’s hybrid event gives participants the flexibility to choose the seminar format that works best for them, whether that’s attending in person or virtually.

Speakers represent a variety of industries including agriculture, local and state government and law. The seminar schedule, with speakers and topics, is below:

• Welcome
  • Mark Thornburg, executive director of legal affairs, Indiana Farm Bureau 

• Legislative Update
  • Jeff Cummins, associate director of policy engagement, Indiana Farm Bureau

• Utility Easements, Road Rights of Way and Drainage
  • Tony Crowell, attorney, Gordon & Associates
  • Josh Trenary, executive director, Indiana Pork Producers Association
  • Jarrod Hahn, surveyor, Wells County
  • Mark Bailey, director of hydraulics, Indiana Department of Transportation
• Indiana Department of Environmental Management and Illinois Department of Natural Resources Joint Permitting Authority Update
  • Heather Parsons, technical environmental specialist, Indiana Department of Environmental Management
• Construction in a Floodway Permitting Update
  • Bryan Denman, special project manager, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
  • Jennifer Ware, environmental manager, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
  • Jarrod Hahn, surveyor, Wells County
  • Susan Bodkin, surveyor, Hancock County
• Lunch (Lunch provided for in-person attendees)

• Joint Drainage Board Creation and Operation
  • Steve Holt, attorney, Hamilton County
  • Kent Ward, surveyor, Hamilton County
  • Kendell Culp, vice president, Indiana Farm Bureau
• Climate Resilience and Drainage
  • Jeff Dukes, director, Purdue Climate Change Resource Center
• Navigating Changes to Isolated Wetlands and Waters of the U.S.
  • Amy Romig, attorney, Plews Shadley Racher & Braun

Registration for the event is required. Attendees may register at www.infb.org/drainage through Aug. 25 for in-person attendance and Aug. 27 for virtual attendance. No refunds will be provided after Aug. 25 for those who register for the in-person event. Continuing education credits for attorneys and surveyors are being sought.

The workshop is sponsored by INFB, Indiana Agricultural Law Foundation, Indiana Pork Producers Association, Association of Indiana Counties, Indiana Association of County Commissioners, County Surveyors Association of Indiana, Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program and Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance.

For more information on the workshop, visit www.infb.org/drainage or contact Maria Spellman at mspellman@infb.org.

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About Indiana Farm Bureau: For more than 100 years, Indiana Farm Bureau (INFB) has promoted agriculture in Indiana through public education, member engagement, and by advocating for agricultural and rural needs. As the state’s largest general farm organization, INFB works diligently to ensure a farmer’s right to farm—protecting the livelihood, land, equipment, animals and crops of Hoosier farmers—because agriculture is vital to Indiana’s economy. Learn more at INFB.org.