See you at the Indiana State Fair!

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture is excited to once again be a part of the 18 greatest days of summer this year at the Indiana State Fair. The fair runs July 28 ? August 20 and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. We encourage all fairgoers to stop by and say hello at any of ISDA's locations on the fairgrounds.

Normandy Barn |?Building Hours: 9:00 a.m. ? 8:00 p.m. ET everyday

Explore all things Indiana Agriculture inside Normandy Barn and Garden Center! Be sure to check out the newly added solar panels on the side of the barn.

FFA Pavilion |?Building hours: 9:00 a.m. ? 8:00 p.m. ET everyday

Join the Indiana FFA State Officers at the FFA Pavilion every day for mini golf and a petting zoo.

Indiana Grown Marketplace?| Building hours: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET everyday

Shop locally grown, raised, processed and/or packaged products daily in the Indiana Grown store. The Indiana Grown State Fair Marketplace will offer fairgoers the opportunity to shop nearly 600 unique products from nearly 100 local Indiana Grown members.

Click below to find more information regarding the 2023 Indiana State Fair.

New conservation record set by Hoosier farmers

According to a recent conservation survey, Indiana farmers have set a?conservation record this year by planting an estimated 1.6 million acres of overwinter living covers.

Overwintering living covers (i.e. - cover crops and small grains, like winter wheat) are known for their environmental benefits. Cover crops and small grains, planted in the fall after harvest, help increase organic matter in the soil and improve overall soil health by adding living roots to the soil for additional months of the year. Cover crops also improve water infiltration into the soil, while other covers, like legumes, serve as natural fertilizers.?

As a result of the cover crops planted, it is estimated that 1.7 million tons of sediment was prevented from entering Indiana?s waterways, which is?enough sediment to fill more than 480 Olympic-size swimming pools. Overwintering covers also prevented 4.3 million pounds of nitrogen and over 2.2 million pounds of phosphorus from entering Indiana's waterways.

Click below to read more.

Hoosier food banks receive a historic $2 million in state funding

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced that Indiana food banks will receive a historic combined total of $2 million to support their efforts in feeding Hoosiers in need. This year's funding is double of what was received last year.

According to Feeding Indiana?s Hungry (FIH), while the long lines outside of food banks and food pantries may not have been as noticeable in 2021 as the year before, nearly 1 in 6 Americans received food assistance from the charitable sector last year.

Indiana food banks are a subsect of food pantries and soup kitchens. Indiana has 11 food banks which feed into pantries and soup kitchens across the state. Each food bank received part of the $2 million in funding, therefore helping all community food pantries, kitchens, churches and more. This funding will allow food pantries, soup kitchens and other food distribution centers to receive additional food products from the food bank that serves their location.

Click below to learn more.

2021 Deferred Pricing Agreements to be paid out

by Indiana Grain Buyers

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) would like to make Hoosier grain farmers aware that if they sold grain on a deferred pricing (DP) agreement before July 1, 2021, the licensed grain buyer who purchased the grain must pay the farmer for that grain before Jan. 1, 2024.

On April 29, 2021, Governor Eric J. Holcomb signed into law House Enrolled Act 1483. This act established new statutory requirements within the Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing and Bonding Law (Ind. Code ? 26-3-7) for grain purchased using a deferred pricing agreement. The Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency, a division of ISDA, asks grain farmers to make note of the Jan. 1, 2024 deadline, as payment for this specific deferred priced grain will be coming.

This law does not affect any grain sold on a deferred pricing (DP) agreement on or after July 1, 2021. Beginning on July 1, 2022, licensed grain buyers were no longer allowed to keep grain on a deferred pricing (DP) agreements for any length of time that extends beyond the crop year.

Click here to read more.?

The Ultimate Farmers Market Challenge

Did you know that Indiana has over 260 farmers markets? Farmers markets support local farmers, producers, growers, artisans and makers. Indiana farmers markets are creating gathering places for families and friends and are stealing the hearts of foodies with one-of-a kind food products and delicious foods to enjoy while touring and shopping the market. Indiana Grown and the Indiana Farmers Market Community of Practice (INFMCP) are accepting nominations for your favorite farmers market in Indiana?s Ultimate Farmers Market Challenge now, through August 12.

Click below to learn more and nominate your favorite Farmers Market.

Keep an eye out for spotted lanternfly

The spotted lanternfly is a major pest of concern across most of the United States. There are two known populations of spotted lanternfly in Indiana, in Switzerland County, near the Ohio River, and in?Huntington. Spotted lanternfly can negatively effect the?grape, hops, orchard and logging industries. Finding this invasive insect early is crucial to preventing its spread as long as possible. Suspected finds should be reported to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Call 866-NO EXOTIC (866-663-9684) or email [email protected].

July 26: Increased conservation record set by Hoosier farmers
Find the full release?here

July 20: Discover local products in the Indiana Grown Marketplace at the Indiana State Fair
Find the full release?here

July 19: Hoosier food banks receive a historic $2 million in state funding
Find the full release?here

July 18: For grain farmers: 2021 Deferred Pricing Agreements to be paid out by Indiana Grain Buyers
Find the full release?here

Upcoming 2023 and 2024 trade missions

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has announced its schedule of trade missions through 2024. Indiana agribusinesses can participate in trade missions to generate export sales through business-to-business meetings with foreign buyers. In 2022, Indiana companies contributed around $7 billion in agricultural exports, ranking #8 among U.S. states.

The application window for the USDA FAS Agribusiness Trade Mission to Southeast Asia (Malaysia & Singapore) closes August 2. Learn more HERE.?

ISDA to attend 32^nd Tri-National Agricultural Accord in Canada in August

Each year, the Accord gathers senior state and provincial agricultural officers of United States, Mexico, and Canada to work together collaboratively on agricultural trade and development issues. The forum allows for constructive conversations with America?s two largest agricultural trading partners. Deputy Director Katie Nelson and International Trade Director Drew Sherman will represent ISDA at the Accord.

Organic Market Development Grant
Find more information here

Manufacturing Readiness Grant
Find more information here

Rural Energy for America Program (R.E.A.P.)
Find more information here

Regional Conservation Partnership Program
Find more information here

Farm Storage Facility Loan Program
Find more information?here

July 28 - August 20: Indiana State Fair?
For more information, click here

August 30: Indiana Land Use Summit
For more information, click here

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