March is Agriculture Appreciation Month in Indiana

Events and contests will shine the spotlight on Hoosier farmers and the food they grow

For Immediate Release

INDIANAPOLIS (February 22, 2011) Governor Mitch Daniels has declared March Agriculture Appreciation Month in Indiana. The Hoosier celebration is an extension of National Ag Week, March 13-19. 

The official proclamation reads, in part:

WHEREAS, the foundation of Indiana agriculture, farm production, occurs on 61,000 farms representing 14.8 million acres of farmland in the state; and

WHEREAS, the Hoosier farmer, a symbol of strength and strong moral fiber, has displayed ingenuity in times of prosperity and perseverance in the face of hardships, while supplying our state, our nation and the world with an abundance of high quality agriculture goods and products; and…

In honor of the month and in recognition of the significant economic and cultural contributions agriculture makes to the Hoosier state, Indiana’s Family of Farmers (IFoF), a coalition of more than a dozen ag-related organizations, will sponsor a series of events and initiatives during Agriculture Appreciation Month, including:

Indiana’s Family of Farmers Statehouse Reception

Monday, March 7, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

IFoF will kick-off Agriculture Appreciation Month with a luncheon reception and special presentation in the Statehouse North Atrium. Lt. Governor Becky Skillman will announce the winners of the ag essay contest and Morgan Dawson, Indiana FFA State President, will read the official Agriculture Appreciation Month proclamation.

Indiana’s Family of Farmers Ag Displays in the Statehouse South Atrium

March 14 - 16

Displays representing Indiana’s commodity groups and ag-related organizations will showcase the products and services they provide to Hoosier farmers and families.

Media Cow Milking Contest

Monday, March 21 at 11:30 a.m., Government Center South lawn
Members of the Indianapolis media will help celebrate Agriculture Appreciation Month with an old-fashioned cow milking contest! Come see who squeezes out the competition to win automatic entry in the State Fair cow milking contest in August. The Indiana Pork Producers will have free pork burgers on a first come-first served basis and Milk Promotion Services of Indiana will provide Milk Chugs.

2011 Ag Essay Contest: “Our Food, Our Farmers”
The winners of the 2011 Ag Essay Contest, sponsored by IFoF and the Indiana Humanities Council, will be announced during a presentation at the statehouse reception March 7. The student essays describe how Indiana agriculture plays a positive role in their lives—and in the lives of those around them. Students in three grade levels (4-6, 7-9 and 10-12) entered either a written or video essay.  The first prize for each grade level is a Flip video camcorder.  The overall winner in each essay category will receive an Apple iPad. Entry guidelines can be found at www.FoodforThoughtIndiana.org,  www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com and at http://vimeo.com/groups/agweek.

Grants to support ag education and Ag Day celebrations

IFoF will provide grants of up to $2,000 to organizations wishing to create or improve ag-related education opportunities in Indiana. Applicants may also request monies for capital improvements (such as buying demonstration equipment) or safety upgrades (such as purchasing hand-washing stations). Applications and detailed guidance can be found online at:  www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com/partnership.html. The deadline to apply is June 10, 2011.

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About Indiana’s Family of Farmers

Indiana’s Family of Farmers grows the grains, produce and meat you eat every day.

We believe that quality farming means quality food that is good for you,

your family and the environment.

Learn more at www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com.

Food for your family, from our family.

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Contact information:

Jeannie Keating, Manager of Media Relations

Indiana State Department of Agriculture

317.696.9695, jkeating@isda.in.gov