Indiana Conservation groups again have record year for

conservation practices

Indiana landowners, for the second year in a row, set a record in the number of conservation practices to maintain soil health, according to the?Indiana Conservation Partnership?(ICP).

The ICP, which works with Hoosier landowners to provide technical or financial assistance for the implementation of conservation projects, recently announced its 2024 conservation accomplishments. In 2023, landowners supported by the ICP installed more than 50,000 new conservation practices, up 3,000 from 2022. Last year?s 47,000 conservation practices installed was also a record.

The ICP report showed that over the last year landowners helped prevent over 1.6 million tons of sediment, over 3.6 million pounds of nitrogen and over 1.8 million pounds of phosphorus from entering Indiana waterways.?

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Indiana Grown members connected to local food buyers

Indiana Grown held a member event earlier this month focused on encouraging schools, hospitals, restaurants and more to buy local. The event featured 57 Indiana Grown members who are ready and able to expand into larger markets.?

Members who attended the showcase were highlighting their locally grown, raised, processed and crafted items, like wagyu beef, pork, Indiana wine, craft spirits, specialty produce, sauces, spices, coffee and more.

The event featured guests from Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky shopping for their specialty store, distribution business, hospital or school cafeteria, restaurant or grocery store.?

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Highlight your photography talents with the Indiana Agriculture Photo Contest beginning June 1

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture will begin accepting submissions for the 17th 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.

Contestants can submit up to five photos in digital format accommodated by a submission form for each photo. Photos will be evaluated based on creativity, composition and category representation.

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AgriVision award nominations are welcomed by Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Dept. of Agriculture

Nominations will be accepted beginning tomorrow for the 2024 AgriVision Award, the highest agricultural honor presented by the State of Indiana. This award, now in its 18th 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, 2024.

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USDA Now Accepting Applications for Available Funds to Help Cover Organic Certification Costs?

Through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), USDA?s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will cover up to 75% of organic certification costs at a maximum of $750 per certification category. FSA is now accepting applications, and organic producers and handlers should apply for OCCSP by the Oct. 31, 2024, deadline for eligible expenses incurred from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024.

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Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis

Earlier this month, the Sweets & Snacks Expo brought together more than 1,000 exhibitors and 16,000 attendees from over 80 countries at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture hosted an Indiana Pavilion at the expo with support from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. The pavilion highlighted seven Hoosier companies on the exposition floor: American Dream Nut Butter, BNutty Gourmet Peanut Butter, Dutch Waffle Company, Kim?s Key Lime Products, Little Joeys, Paradise Spreads and Revival Food Company.

In total, 31 Indiana businesses exhibited at the expo. Additionally, 12 Indiana companies participated in Food Export-Midwest?s Buyers Mission which included targeted business-to-business meetings with international buyers from 15 different countries. With Sweets & Snacks Expo returning to Indianapolis in 2025, ISDA and IEDC look forward to hosting the Indiana Pavilion again.

May 2: Indiana Grown members selected for tradeshow funding
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May 15: Indiana Conservation groups again have record year for conservation practices
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May 29: Highlight your photography talents with the Indiana Agriculture Photo Contest; submissions open soon
Find the full release?here

May 31: AgriVision award nominations are welcomed by Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Dept. of Agriculture
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Indiana Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP)
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Cover Crop Premium Discount Program
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Farm Storage Facility Loan Program
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Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants
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Grain Buyers Director| Indianapolis, IN
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Indiana FFA Assistant Director of Leadership Development | Indianapolis, IN
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Nutrient Stewardship Program Manager | Indianapolis, IN
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