Lt. Gov. Crouch and ISDA seek nominations for

distinguished agricultural leaders

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 AgriVision Award, the highest agricultural honor presented by the State. This award, now in its 16th year, was established by the Lt. Governor and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to recognize Indiana?s agricultural leaders who are ensuring Indiana is, and remains, a global center for food and agricultural innovation and commercialization. The AgriVision Award is open to any Indiana resident and all sectors of the agriculture industry?from bioenergy to livestock to the agbiosciences. Any person or organization may submit a nomination through July 1, 2023.

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16th annual Indiana agriculture photo contest

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture?will begin accepting submissions for the 16th annual Indiana Agriculture Photo Contest throughout the month of June. The contest is open to all Indiana residents and was created to recognize the hard work and contributions of Hoosier farmers, as well as?the beauty of the state?s agricultural landscape.

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Indiana Conservation Partnership 2022 Conservation Accomplishments

The?Indiana Conservation Partnership?(ICP) announced its 2022 conservation accomplishments. The ICP works with Hoosier landowners to provide technical or financial assistance for the implementation of conservation projects.?In 2022, landowners supported by the ICP installed more than 47,000 new conservation practices, up over 15,000 from 2021.

The ICP is made up of public and non-profit groups, along with landowners, that work together for the betterment of soil health and water quality. ICP organizations include, Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts,?Indiana Department of Environmental Management,?Indiana Department of Natural Resources,?ISDA,?Indiana State Soil Conservation Board,?Purdue Extension,?USDA-Farm Service Agency?and?USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service.

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USDA accepting applications to help cover costs of organic producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will cover up to 75% of the costs associated with organic certification, up to $750 per category, through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Indiana Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages organic agricultural producers and handlers to apply for OCCSP by Oct. 31, 2023, for expenses incurred from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023.?

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May 15: Indiana Conservation Partnership 2022 Conservation Accomplishments
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Hungarian delegation meets with ISDA staff

A delegation of government officials from Hungary, led by Minister of Agriculture Mr. Istvan Nagy, visited the Indiana Statehouse last week and met with Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Lamb and other ISDA staff.

Lamb and Nagy, both farmers, shared challenges and opportunities facing fellow farmers and producers in their countries.

Community Connect Program
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Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Sustainable Agricultural Systems
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Local Meat Capacity Grant
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Organic Market Development Grants
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Resilient?Food Systems and Infrastructure Grant
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Research Facilities Act Program