January 8 is opening day for the 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly, and while the state’s budget will inevitably be the major topic of debate, Indiana Farm Bureau is working to ensure that its own legislative priorities get the attention they deserve.

INFB kicked off its activities with breakfast held on the General Assembly’s Organization Day, Nov. 19. This breakfast, held at the Statehouse, provided INFB with an opportunity to connect with legislators on issues that impact agriculture and rural communities. Ninety-one legislators attended.

Next on INFB’s agenda is the annual Legislative Forum, which is held on the legislature’s opening day. The event provides an opportunity for Farm Bureau’s local leaders to interact with the major stakeholders who craft and implement agriculture legislation in Indiana.

In addition, county Farm Bureaus are encouraged to visit the Statehouse at least once each session. Members who participate will meet with INFB policy staff members the morning of their visit and receive an overview of Farm Bureau’s legislative agenda as well as talking points to use when speaking with lawmakers.

Meeting with legislators, either at the Statehouse or closer to home, is particularly important after an election year. This year’s General Assembly includes four new state senators and 10 new state representatives.

INFB’s legislative priorities for 2025 are:

• Safeguarding a manageable and predictable tax system. This includes realigning tax burdens based on the demand for services and ability to pay and reducing the reliance on property tax with effective controls and income tax.
• Ensuring farmers’ access to water by expanding groundwater protection rights to proactively protect agriculture operations and farmers' investments in producing food; implementing a statewide, dedicated groundwater well monitoring network to inventory current groundwater supply; and developing a statewide water resource plan to manage surface and groundwater resources with a regionalized approach.

2025 will be a “long session,” which means that it must end by April 29. Long sessions are held during odd years. Even-numbered years are “short sessions,” which must end by March 14.

For more on INFB’s 2025 legislative priorities, visit infb.org/statepriorities.

If you’re interested in participating in a Statehouse visit, talk to your regional manager. Names and contact information for regional managers can be found at infb.org/fieldoperations.