Over 100 Indiana FFA members compete on the national stage

This week the sea of the blue jackets returned to downtown Indianapolis for the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo. During the Convention, over 100 Indiana FFA members from across the state have competed in a variety of Career and Leadership Development Events, the Agriscience Fair and Agricultural Proficiency Awards.

Click below to read the full release and find a full list of competing chapters and students

Indiana Grown announces grant funds for members interested in tradeshow exhibition

Indiana Grown recently announced $25,000 in grant funding for Indiana Grown members who are interested in exhibiting at tradeshows. Grants will be awarded to businesses with commercially ready products who want to expand.

Tradeshows offer vital exposure to unique customers and business-to-business clients, but barriers for members include the booth fee, travel expenses, set up costs and more. This grant was designed to alleviate some of those costs to ensure Hoosier businesses are highlighted and Indiana-made products can be enjoyed across the U.S. and globe.

Click below to read the full release

Ports of Indiana, Indiana State Department of Agriculture sign MOU to increase collaboration, agriculture trade and container shipping

Ports of Indiana and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to increase collaboration, expand agricultural trade and create new container shipping opportunities for Indiana.

The primary purpose of the MOU is to establish a framework for enhanced collaboration, with the aim of promoting increased agricultural trade and fostering economic development for Indiana.

Click below to read the full release

Order Today: 2024 Indiana Grown Holiday Box

Indiana Grown has announced the contents of the 2024 Indiana Grown Holiday Box, the perfect gift for your friends and family this holiday season. This year's gift box will showcase a variety of products from Indiana Grown members located across the state including coffees, sweet treats and body care items. Indiana Grown is a statewide initiative housed within the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to highlight local products and artisan goods.

Click below to order the 2024 Indiana Grown Holiday Box

Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council

launch Farmers Deliver website

Farmers deliver more than corn, soybeans and other commodities. Farmers deliver economic value, fuel and sustainable practices that protect our land and environment. Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council seek to connect the wider community and organizations to corn and soybean farmers to better understand the value of agriculture.

Click here to visit the website to learn more about the impact of agriculture in Indiana. 

USDA launches assistance network to support

financially distressed farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has officially launched the Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network, a national initiative aimed at providing personalized support to financially distressed farmers and ranchers. The network will connect borrowers with individualized assistance through Cooperative Agreements to help them regain financial stability.

The Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network will combine the expertise of community-based organizations, farm support organizations and land-grant institutions to offer one-on-one, personalized assistance. By doing so, it will help struggling producers navigate financial challenges, stabilize their operations and position themselves to take advantage of new opportunities within the agricultural economy.

This initiative not only addresses the immediate needs of distressed borrowers, but also builds a lasting system of service providers dedicated to supporting agricultural communities for years to come. The investment in agricultural financing service providers will bridge access to FSA loans, benefiting rural and agricultural communities nationwide.

Click below to learn more

Indiana Pavilions at 2025 Trade Shows

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture invites Indiana food and beverage manufacturers to exhibit in the 2025 Indiana Pavilions at the Sweets and Snacks Expo and National Restaurant Association Show.

2025 Sweets and Snacks Expo The Sweets and Snacks Expo is the largest U.S. show devoted to candy and snacks. It attracts thousands of verified buyers and industry professionals from around the world. The Indiana Pavilion exists to showcase Hoosier companies on the trade show floor. Exhibitors in the Indiana Pavilion benefit from connections with ISDA staff and Indiana legislators, exhibiting alongside fellow Indiana companies, paying the NCA Member Rate on booth rental cost and more.

2025 National Restaurant Association Show The National Restaurant Association Show is the largest annual gathering of foodservice professionals in the Western Hemisphere. At this show, exhibitors display their products to a global audience of over 55,000 attendees. Indiana has reserved booth space within A Taste of the States (ATOTS), hosted by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). ATOTS offers pre-show and on-site export coaching, prearranged one-on-one meetings with qualified buyers and an enhanced exhibitor booth package.

For more information regarding these trade show opportunities, contact Megan Bixler, ISDA International Trade Manager.

Oct. 16: Over 100 Indiana FFA members prepare to compete on the national stage
Find the full release here

Oct. 16: Indiana Grown announces grant funds for members interested in tradeshow exhibition
Find the full release here

Oct. 17: Ports of Indiana, Indiana State Department of Agriculture sign MOU to increase collaboration, agriculture trade and container shipping
Find the full release here

Nov. 5: General Election Day
ISDA office closed

Nov. 11: Veterans Day
ISDA office closed

Nov. 28: Thanksgiving
ISDA office closed

Nov. 29: Lincoln's Birthday
ISDA office closed

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