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 29 ? August 21 and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. We are thrilled to be able to experience the fair in its full glory and have several of our usual events. 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. ? 9:00 p.m. ET everyday

Inside this historic barn located on the North East side of the fairgrounds you will find the 4-H STEM Studio. This location is filled with interactive exhibits all related to the science, math, engineering and technology field. Stop by to find a 3-D printer, robot track and so much more. Venture over to Normandy Barn for Purdue Extension?s 4-H STEM learning and games!

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

Shop locally made, produced or processed products daily in the Indiana Grown store. Additionally, pop-in to find educational displays, product sampling and demonstrations from artisans showcasing their craft.

Click below to find more information regarding the 2022 Indiana State Fair.

Soil conservation on an upward trend in Indiana

According to a recent conservation survey, Indiana farmers planted an estimated 1.5 million acres of overwinter living covers in the late fall of 2021, matching the record 1.5 million acres planted in 2020, according to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

Overwintering living covers (i.e. - cover crops and small grains, like wheat) are known for their environmental benefits. Cover crops and small grains help increase organic matter in the soil and improve overall soil health by adding living roots to the soil additional months out of the year. Cover crops also improve water infiltration into the soil, while other covers, like legumes serve as natural fertilizers.?The 1.5 million acres of living covers planted sequestered an amount of soil organic carbon that is the equivalent of 819,941 tons of CO₂.??

Click below to read more.

11 Hoosier food banks receive $1 million in state funding

Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture announced that 11 Indiana food banks will receive a combined total of $1 million to support their efforts in feeding Hoosiers in need.

According to?Feeding Indiana?s Hungry, 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.

Click below to learn more.

July 6:?11 Hoosier food banks receive $1 million in state funding
Find the full release?here

July 7: Soil conservation on an upward trend in Indiana
Find the full release?here

Learn more about the program?here.

FEDERAL FUNDING:

Urban, Indoor, and Emerging Agriculture
Find more information?here

Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program
Find more information here

Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program
Find more information here

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 Small Business Funding Portal
Find more information here

STATE FUNDING:

Indiana State Trade and Export Promotion (IN-STEP)
Find more information here

Manufacturing Readiness Grant
Find more information here

GENERAL FUNDING:

Food Export Midwest?
Find more information here

FULL-TIME?OPPORTUNITIES?

Assistant Director - FFA Career & Leadership Development?|Indianapolis, IN
Find more information here

Indiana Grown Program Director?|?Indianapolis, IN
Find more information here

Agribusiness Engagement Director |?Indianapolis, IN
Find more information here

July 29 - August 21: Indiana State Fair?
For more information click here

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