Contact:

Heidi Gant
317-692-7828
HGant@infb.org

(Indianapolis) – Aug. 21, 2026 – Indiana Farm Bureau brought together farmers, policymakers, energy experts and agriculture industry partners today for the organization’s second annual Critical Issues Summit. Focused on advancing agriculture in a changing world, the event was held at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds in Danville, Indiana.

“So many productive conversations came out of this new event last year that we had to bring it back again this year,” said Randy Kron, INFB president. “The Critical Issues Summit featured several thought-provoking discussions today on energy, trade and the economy that are evolving every day.”

Attendees heard about PFAS chemicals and their impacts on farms, the federal government’s energy strategy and the rise in nuclear energy discussions, and issues shaping the future of agriculture from keynote speaker Zippy Duvall, president of American Farm Bureau Federation.

“We are on the verge of getting some really great things done, but on the verge isn’t good enough,” Duvall said regarding federal policy impacting agriculture. “We don’t win this battle unless you’re in the trenches with us. We are the American farmer, and millions of people across this world depend on what we do every day.”

The afternoon portion of the event concluded with expert panels on economics, taxes and local government, which included comments from Indiana House Ways and Means Committee leaders Reps. Jeff Thompson and Craig Snow. A special appearance was also made by Anne Vogel, region 5 administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“As a farmer who’s seen a lot of change over the years, I can tell you that today’s challenges are very real, and we’re seeing first-hand the way they impact our farms, our communities and our industry every day,” Kron added. “The issues we talked about today can’t be ones we avoid by sticking our head in the sand and hoping it gets better. I hope the conversations we had today will spur some action and help us move forward in our mission to protect and enhance the future of agriculture in Indiana and beyond.”

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About Indiana Farm Bureau: For more than 100 years, Indiana Farm Bureau (INFB) has protected and enhanced the future of agriculture and our communities. As the state’s largest general farm organization, INFB works diligently to cultivate a thriving agricultural ecosystem to strengthen the viability of Indiana agriculture. Learn more at INFB.org.