Distinguished leaders awarded state's highest agricultural honor

During the Indiana State Fair, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch presented Cindy Hoye, executive director of the Indiana State Fair, and Beth Archer, executive director of AgrIInstitue, with the state?s highest agricultural honor, the AgriVision Award.

Now in its 17th year, the award is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the agriculture industry and their communities.

Click below to read more about the award and this year's awardees.

2023 Indiana Agriculture Photo Contest winners announced

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture announced the winners of the 2023 Indiana Agriculture Photo Contest.

The winning photos were chosen from hundreds of entries in the following four categories: Agritourism, Conservation, Faces of Agriculture and On the Farm. Two winners were selected from each category, along with two winners overall.

To be considered, the photo had to be taken in the state by an Indiana resident. The photos were evaluated by a panel of independent judges based on creativity, composition and category representation.

Click below to find a list of awardees and see the winning photos.

103 historic farm families presented Hoosier Homestead Awards

Recognized for their families? longstanding commitment to agriculture, 103 Indiana family farms were presented the?Hoosier Homestead Award?at the Indiana State Fair from?Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch?and?Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director?Don Lamb.

To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years, and consist of 20 acres or more, or produce more than $1,000 in agricultural products per year.

Based on the age of the farm, families are eligible for three different distinctions of the Hoosier Homestead Award. They can receive the Centennial Award for 100 years, Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years or Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership.

Click below to read more and find a full list of awardees.

Conservation Board doubles Clean Water Indiana funding

The State Soil Conservation Board (SSCB) is allotting over $2 million in?Clean Water Indiana?(CWI) grants for 2023, which is a $1 million increase over 2022.

This increased funding was allocated by the Indiana General Assembly during the 2023 legislative session. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture's (ISDA) Division of Soil Conservation?was awarded over $5 million additional dollars this year. The SSCB recently voted on how to spend the money and declared to increase funding to key water quality and conservation programs, including Clean Water Indiana's competitive grant program.?

Clean Water Indiana was established to provide financial assistance to landowners and conservation groups and supports the implementation of conservation practices which will reduce nonpoint sources of water pollution through education, technical assistance, training and cost sharing programs. Programs under the Clean Water Indiana fund are administered by ISDA's Division of Soil Conservation subject to direction from the SSCB.?

Click here to read more.?

ISDA and Red Gold announce 2023 Stewardship Award winners

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and Red Gold recently announced the winners of the 2023 Red Gold Stewardship Award. Niese Ag LLC of Pandora, Ohio was selected as the first-place winner, and Myers Sod Farms LLC of Seymour, Ind. received second place. This presentation, now in its 15th year, is a partnership between Red Gold and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. The award is presented to Red Gold tomato growers who value improving soil health and water quality on their operations.

Click below to read more.

August 3: Agriculture visionaries announced
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August 4: Winners of the 2023 Indiana Agriculture Photo Contest announced
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August 7: ISDA and Red Gold Announce 2023 Stewardship Award winners
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August?17: 103 historic farm families presented Hoosier Homestead Awards
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August 22: Increased conservation record set by Hoosier farmers
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ISDA attends 32nd Tri-National Agricultural Accord

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture joined senior leaders from state, federal, provincial governments and industry representatives from the United States, Mexico and Canada for the 32nd Tri-National Agricultural Accord in August. The Accord was hosted by Minister of Agriculture David Marit and the Government of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.

ISDA was represented by Deputy Director Katie Nelson and International Trade Director Drew Sherman, who participated in bilateral and trilateral meetings to discuss pressing agricultural issues that cross state and national borders. Read more here.?

Dairy Business Builder Grant
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Manufacturing Readiness Grant
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Rural Energy for America Program (R.E.A.P.)
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Farm Storage Facility Loan Program
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September 5: Labor Day
ISDA office closed

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