The Hoosier Farmer

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

“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 issues we talked about can’t be ones we avoid by sticking our head in the sand and hoping it gets better. I hope the conversations we had will spur some action and help us move forward in our mission to protect and enhance the future of agriculture in Indiana and beyond.”

Keynote speaker Zippy Duvall, president of American Farm Bureau Federation, shared issues shaping the future of agriculture.

“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 held 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.

Laura Campbell, senior conservation and regulatory relations specialist at Michigan Farm Bureau, presented on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – or PFAS chemicals – and their impacts on farms.  

“Her presentation inspired some last-minute policy recommendations at the Delegate Session,” Richard Gaither said.

Gaither of Brown County said he found Critical Issues Summit to be very informative with a great selection of speakers. He particularly enjoyed Chris Skates describing the federal government’s energy strategy and the rise in nuclear energy discussions.

“His life story and the pros and cons of nuclear energy, coal and green energy options was great,” he said.

“Agriculture is deeply intertwined with energy, and our policy leaders must understand the need for greater energy production in the coming years. I completely agree with Chris Skates that the need must be met with clean coal and nuclear production methods,” Brock Hurley added.

The Jasper County resident is a third-generation corn and soybean farmer. As someone interested in agricultural policy, Hurley said Critical Issues Summit provided an excellent framework for understanding how farmers across our state are represented in Washington and Indianapolis.

“The speakers were fantastic and the topics were relevant to modern concerns for the ag industry,” he said.

Hurley said INFB Vice President Kendell Culp is a longtime mentor of his and introduced him to Duvall after his speech. Hurley said the three discussed his experience at Purdue University, as well as the importance of new voices rising up in American agriculture.

“President Duvall's topic inspired me to greater involvement in Indiana Farm Bureau and the agricultural industry,” said Hurley. “He told stories of his advocacy in the Oval Office, and I quickly realized just how impactful membership in Farm Bureau is. It is absolutely our job as agriculturalists to tell our story, because if we fail to, it will get told for us – and likely much less accurately.”

Contact Editor

Robert Herrington

(317) 692-7871

RHerrington@infb.org