Indiana’s first Farm to Capital connects ag and government

The Indiana Family of Farmers took a big step in advocacy this week, hosting its first-ever Farm to Capital event on National Ag Day. Designed to connect state legislators with organizations representing Indiana’s agricultural community, the event fostered discussions that bridged the gap between farming and government.

Held at the Indiana Statehouse, the event was spearheaded by Indiana Family of Farmers, a coalition including Indiana Farm Bureau, the Indiana Department of Agriculture, Purdue University, the Indiana Board of Animal Health, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, the American Dairy Association of Indiana, Indiana Pork Producers, and the Indiana Soybean Alliance.

Each organization highlighted its contributions to Indiana’s economy and food system, offering legislators a deeper understanding of the issues facing farmers and the industry’s impact on both rural and urban communities.

Indiana Farm Bureau Vice President and State Representative Kendell Culp (District 16) underscored the need for stronger agricultural representation in government, saying, “An event like this is super important because agriculture is really having a diminishing influence at the statehouse, not from an advocacy standpoint, but from a representation standpoint. I’m the only traditional full-time farmer. My farm is corn, soybeans, beef cattle, and hogs. There are two others that represent agritourism, but there are only three of us (elected officials) that can say that when we wake up in the morning, we are going to the barn or going to the farm… There are only three of us that can say that.”

A key goal of Farm to Capital was to educate lawmakers on both the challenges and advancements in Indiana agriculture, from sustainability efforts to new technology shaping the industry. Farmers and ag representatives shared personal stories, answered questions, and advocated for policies that support Indiana’s farm families.

Don Lamb, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of connecting with lawmakers. “What we do in agriculture is usually pretty quiet, we’re out in rural areas, we’re doing hard work, we are doing a lot of good things for the state, but there are just a lot of people that do not know about agriculture and we know that,” explained Lamb. “Less than 2 percent of the population is in agriculture, so a lot of what we do is just educating people on agriculture, and that is what this event is really all about.”

Beyond policy discussions, the event showcased Indiana’s diverse agricultural sectors, including livestock, crops, and agribusiness. Indiana Pork played a key role in the event’s success, with Jeanette Merritt highlighting the importance of public education, saying, “I think it is important that we celebrate agriculture every day, but to take one day and to do it here at the statehouse, we have had a great opportunity to connect with people who are not familiar with agriculture. The people who have visited today are generations removed from a farm. Many people who have come through today said they didn’t know we do anything like this. Taking the opportunity to really educate people, not only on where their food comes from, but how we raise it.”

The inaugural Farm to Capital event received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many legislators appreciating the chance to engage directly with Indiana’s farming community. Given its success, anticipation is high for the event to become an annual tradition, further strengthening the relationship between policymakers and the state’s agricultural industry.

As agriculture remains a cornerstone of Indiana’s economy, Farm to Capital serves as a vital platform for education and advocacy, ensuring that farmers’ voices continue to be heard at the highest levels of government.

Jonathan Lawler of Punk Farmer Media contributed this article.