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Hoosier corn and soybean farmers discuss priorities with lawmakers

Hoosier corn and soybean farmers discussed legislative priorities with lawmakers this week.

Northwestern Indiana farmer Natasha Cox says supporting the state’s livestock industry is top priority.  

“We’re opposing some additional restrictions on the livestock sector- while we want to be good stewards of the land, we understand that livestock is the number one consumer of corn and soybean products in the state of Indiana,” she says. “We’re focusing on some regulations and helping others understand the position of corn and livestock farmers.”

Audio: Natasha Cox, Benton County

She says Indiana Corn Growers Association and Indiana Soybean Alliance also highlighted the importance of agriculture to the state’s economy.

“Every dollar of GDP generated in the Indiana agricultural economy generates another 88 cents in economic activity statewide,” she says.

North central farmer Mike Beard says they are also pushing for broadband expansion to under-served areas in the state.

“You can’t buy a new piece of machinery today without needing to at least service it with broadband,” he says. “Much of my equipment communicates back to my office via broadband. It’s important to all of us.”

Audio: Mike Beard, Indiana farmer

He tells Brownfield it’s also important that farmers continue to meet with lawmakers, so they know what’s important to the industry.

The Indiana Corn Growers Association and Indiana Soybean Alliance hosted its annual legislative breakfast Tuesday at the Indiana Statehouse.

This year’s event dubbed the bacon bar and brunch, featured seven kinds of bacon including duck, beef, turkey, candied, chipotle raspberry, jalapeno, and traditional pork bacon.