The Hoosier Farmer

A new name. A new chapter. A familiar tradition, reimagined with Indiana Farm Bureau members in mind. For more than one hundred years, Indiana farmers have come together for what was always called our State Convention.  For 2025, INFB made the decision to rebrand the event to honor its past, while leaning into the future. 

The new name – Indiana Ag Gathering – says something powerful about who we are and what we value. 

“It reflects the way we see agriculture today: not just as production, policy or business, but as a community of people with a shared passion and purpose,” INFB President Randy Kron said.

The event, held December 12 and 13 in French Lick, included the traditional competitions, awards and programming with a focus on community – the people who come together to power Indiana agriculture.

“For more than a century, we’ve gathered under the same banner, with the same format. But this year, we decided it was time for a change. Time to reimagine what connection looks like in today’s world,” he said. “We wanted an event that felt more like community than conference and more like a celebration than ceremony. A way to honor where we’ve been, while embracing that tomorrow will require something different than yesterday did.”

Kron stated this isn’t change for the sake of change, but an evolution with a purpose in mind. He added that INFB carried that same mindset throughout the year, from the grassroots to the state level.

County Farm Bureaus across the state have embraced new opportunities, to engage, advocate, share knowledge, and innovate. At the state level, INFB hosted two new major events: the Indiana Ag Threats & Security Summit in March and Critical Issues Summit in August.

“These conversations are proof that when agriculture steps up and brings others to the table, we can lead solutions – not just react to problems. That’s doing things differently,” said Kron. “We’ve expanded conversations to reach new audiences, urban consumers, educators, community leaders, because the story of agriculture deserves to be heard in every corner of this state.”

These are challenging times in agriculture. While so much is outside our control, Kron said farmers still have power.

“We may not control the weather or the markets, but we do have the power to speak up for what matters most. We may not control every outcome, but we have the power to shape the conditions that lead to better ones,” he said. “That’s exactly why Farm Bureau exists – to multiply your power, amplify your voice, and ensure your work is supported and protected at the local, state and national levels.”

At the end of the day, Kron said doing things differently isn’t just about helping farms survive this year, it’s about protecting the next generation’s ability to farm.

“We’re not just building for next year’s harvest. We’re building for the next 50 years of Indiana agriculture,” he said. “Indiana agriculture has never been afraid of hard work. And neither has your Farm Bureau. So let’s keep fighting for the conditions that help farmers thrive and let’s keep building a legacy that future generations will be proud to inherit.”

Contact Editor

Robert Herrington

(317) 692-7871

RHerrington@infb.org