Celebrating Agriculture with Indiana Bloggers

Today is National Ag Day, a day for farmers and everyone who eats to celebrate all that agriculture gives us.  Governor Pence declared the entire month of March as Indiana’s Agriculture Appreciation Month, and we celebrated on March 5^th by inviting our friends to join us at the State House.

Here’s what some of our blogger friends had to say about their day with cupcakes, the governor, great food truck food, and lots of agriculture at the State House.

Jen at 4tunate talks about getting eating by an orchid and farmers as local heroes.

Ann-Marie at Chaos is Bliss shares her thoughts on how food gets from tractor to truck to table.

Katy at Indy with Kids chats about her parents’ ties to agriculture and how she is teaching her kids about where their food comes from.

Crystal at Mom for Less sampled delicious food and met with people ranging from sixth generation farmers to Governor Pence during her day at the State House.

Cherie of Queen of Free grew up in a farming community and reflects on a fun day at the State House here.

Jacqueline shares her appreciation for Indiana farmers and highlight of that day at Writ Rams.

We’re so glad we could spend the day with these lovely ladies at the State House- connecting Indiana bloggers and their readers to agriculture!  

Also in attendance that day were our friends from The Real Farmwives of America and Friends were also there to celebrate with us! 

Join these ladies on their facebook page as a great way to connect to agriculture everyday!

How are you celebrating agriculture this month?

Thanks to Heather at Basilmomma for helping us celebrate although she could not be there.

Hoosier Farmers Celebrate Indiana Ag Month

By Sarah Mahan of This Farm Family's Life

Jay Hawley or Grandpa Jay, a pork farmer from Clinton County, thinks Ag Month is so important because he feels there is almost no knowledge of where food comes from anymore.

   
"Wal-Mart hasn't grown any food ever, but some people believe that they are the source of all food," says Grandpa Jay. "There are so few of us left that we need to educate the vast majority of the public who we are and what we do. The farmers used to be viewed as the good guys, but that is changing.  We need to tell our story and that we are really great people who do care about the land, our animal, and the environment."



Jay graduated from Purdue University in 1969. He then returned home to farm with his dad. Jay married his wife Sue that summer and they have been farming and raising hogs for more than 43 years. They currently farm about 750 acres and have a farrow to feeder pig operation-they keep the pigs from the day they are born until they reach 50-60 pounds. Jay and Sue have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.

They started Grandpa Jay's Pork in 2006.  "We sold at four farmers' markets last summer which included Noblesville, West Lafayette, Frankfort, and the Statehouse market," says Grandpa Jay. "We have two restaurants using our pork and hope to increase that number.  We have a produce that is 88% lean and has nothing added except different spices for different flavors."

News Release: Indiana students to be recognized during 3rd Annual Our Food, Our Farmers essay contest ceremony

INDIANAPOLIS (February 28, 2013) - As part of the 2013 celebration marking Indiana's Agriculture Appreciation Month in March, six Hoosier students were selected for their winning essays in the 3rd Annual Ag Essay Contest titled "Our Food, Our Farmers: Nourishing Generations of Hoosiers." For the 2013 competition, students in grades 4-12 wrote essays on the following prompt:

•  Describe how Indiana farmers nourish 1) our families, 2) our animals, and 3) our earth (soil). Please provide an example from each of the three areas.

On March 5, all winners will be recognized by Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, secretary of agriculture and rural development during an Ag Appreciation Month luncheon reception and special presentation. The ceremony will take place in the Statehouse North Atrium at 11:45 a.m. 

"Congratulations to all who participated in the essay contest and highlighted the many ways Hoosier farmers excel in providing for others while protecting our natural resources," said Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann. "I look forward to recognizing our winners March 5 and the kick off of our Hoosier Agriculture Appreciation Month." 

More than 500 students submitted essays from across Indiana. The winning essays were selected from three grade levels: 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. First place winners receive an Apple iPad and second place winners receive Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones.

Essay contest winners are as follows:

Grades 4-6:

• First Place: Josie Edwards, 6^th grader home schooled, Plymouth, IN
• Second Place: Katelyn Schreckenghaust, 5^th grader at Galveston Elementary, Galveston, IN

Grades 7-9:

• First Place: Yijiang Zhao, 7^th grader at Central Middle School, Columbus, IN
• Second Place: Travis Koester, 9^th grader at North Posey High School, Poseyville, IN

 Grades 10-12: 

• First Place: Jessica-Lena Bohlin, 11^th grader at LaPorte High School, LaPorte, IN
• Second Place: Aubrey Fleck, 12^th grader at North White Middle Senior High School
• Monon, IN

Sponsored by Indiana's Family of Farmers and Indiana Humanities, the essay contest encouraged students to recognize and share all the ways Indiana agriculture plays a positive role in their own lives -as well as in the lives of those around them. In addition, teachers were able to apply a breakdown of the State Core Academic Standards met by the essay contest.

"This essay contest continues to be a 'win-win-win' for all. Teachers meet their curriculum needs, students participate in a fun and interesting project, and our Indiana farming community is recognized for its local and global impact," said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities. "We are proud to again partner with Indiana's Family of Farmers to celebrate our rich agricultural history through the collection of student stories." 

The winning essays will be posted soon on www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com andwww.indianahumanities.org but can be made available upon request.

This contest is part of Indiana Humanities' two-year Spirit of Competition initiative. Spirit of Competition will celebrate the role competition plays in our lives by examining core elements of competition such as civility, rivalry, innovation, passion and failure.

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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.  Food for your family, from our family.  More at www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com.

About Indiana Humanities

Indiana Humanities connects people, opens minds and enriches lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage people to think, read and talk. Learn more at www.indianahumanities.org.

  

News Release: Indy Food Trucks and Indiana's Family of Farmers Celebrate National Ag Day and Nutrition Month

INDIANAPOLIS (March 2, 2012) -  Join Indiana’s Family of Farmers (IFOF) and six of Indy’s tastiest Food Trucks for From Tractor To Truck (#tractor2truck), a celebration of National Ag Day and Nutrition Month. Come hungry Thursday, March 8 when the food trucks will be open for business from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Indiana Government Center - South Senate Avenue!

The following food trucks will be available: Scratch Truck (@scratchtruck), Scout’s Treats (@scoutstreats), Tacos without Borders (@tacoswoborders), New York Slice (@TheNYslice) West Coast Tacos (@westcoasttacos), and Some of this! Some of that! (@SOTSOT1) for their participation and look forward to the opportunity to support their local businesses March 8.

“This event has further enabled us to reach our community and share with them that quality agriculture provides not only quality food but a wide variety of food choices,” said Joe Kelsay, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “I am proud to say that the food we all can enjoy every day on every one of these food trucks or at the grocery store or farmers market or half way around the world is in part because of Indiana’s 61,000 family farms.”

From 12 – 12:30 p.m. local celebrity “Food Truck Partners” will join the festivities and encourage the crowd to chew on some interesting ag facts at their assigned truck. Come on out and join:

Chikage Windler from the Skytrak Weather Team of WTHR (@ChikageWTHR), won’t need to forecast the beef facts you’ll want to know at Scratch Truck.

Tracy Forner from of WISH-TV’s Indy Style (@IndyStyle) will have some “udderly” interesting info on dairy at Scout’s Treats.

Danielle The Face of MyINDY-TV 23 (@FaceofMyINDY) shares her joy for soy at “Some of this! Some of that!

Dave O’Brien Morning Host of Hank FM (@HankFM) will have plenty of poultry pearls of wisdom at Tacos without Borders.

Deb Honeycutt from WFMS Morning show (@WFMS) will bring home the bacon on pork at New York Slice.

Bill Remeika, Fox 59 Traffic Reporter (@bremeikaFox59) your authority on traffic, Bill will help steer you to the corn facts at West Coast Tacos.

Crave more ag info? An FFA Officer will be on hand to fill your order!

But wait there’s more! 

Get Your Plate in Shape at each Food Truck for National Nutrition Month with some udderly delicious FREE dairy products courtesy of Prairie Farms as well as carrots and apples from Piazza Produce. Americans are consumed with what we need to limit or eliminate from our plate to make it healthy, but to “Get Our Plate in Shape,” consumers typically just need to add foods that are nutritionally sound, like fruits and vegetables or low-fat dairy, to get that nutrition boost.  Nutritional “AG”visors will be available at each truck if you have any further nutrition questions.

And the IPad goes to….

Prior to lunch, from 11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., a brief presentation to celebrate Indiana’s agriculture industry will take place. IFOF (@FamilyofFarmers), along with Indiana Humanities (@INHumanities) will also recognize six Hoosier students for their winning essays in the 2nd Annual Ag Essay Contest titled “Our Food, Our Farmers.” This year’s contest explored Indiana’s role as a global agricultural leader.

More than 280 students submitted essays from across Indiana. The winning essays were selected from three grade levels: 4-6; 7-9 and 10-12. First place winners will receive an Apple iPad and second place winners receive a Kodak Playsport camcorder.

The winning essays are posted on Indiana’s Family of Farmers and Indiana Humanities websites.

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#Tractor2Truck: The Don't Miss Indy Food Truck Event!

Indy Food Trucks and Indiana’s Family of Farmers Celebrate National Ag Day and Nutrition Month

By Jeannie Keating of Indiana State Department of Agriculture

Join Indiana’s Family of Farmers for a menu of delicious fun featuring six of Indy’s AMAZING Food Trucks coming out to support National Ag Day and Nutrition Month. Come hungry Thursday, March 8 when Food Trucks will be serving from 11 a.m. – 2p.m. at the Indiana Government Center South on Senate Avenue.

And you can chew on some interesting farm facts at each Food Truck with a local celebrity “Food Truck Partner” from noon – 12:30 to help encourage the crowd to learn more about the Indiana farm product assigned to “their” truck. 

Here’s some interesting fodder about dairy that you will find with Scout’s Treats …

Did you know:

Cows can smell something up to six miles away?!  

And, if you want to learn more, an FFA Officer will be available at each truck to help answer any farm questions.

But wait there’s more! 

Get Your Plate in Shape with some “udderly” delicious FREE Prairie Farms Milk in front of each truck to help promote Nutrition Month and apples and carrots from Piazza Produce. Psst….remember it’s not what you take away, but what you add to your nutrition that matters–everything in moderation!

And the IPad goes to…

A brief presentation to celebrate Indiana’s agriculture and farmers will take place from 11:30 to 11:45. At that time we will also recognize the “Our Food, Our Farmers Ag Essay Contest” winners.

We would like to thank these outstanding Indy Food Trucks for coming on site for this event, their support of Indiana agriculture and Nutrition Month. We look forward to the opportunity to support their local business.

Can’t "corn"trol the need for more "ag"citing farm info?

Here’s a preview – look for more March 8!

Scratch Truck @scratchtruck

Farm Product – Beef

Celebrity Partner - Chikage Windler of WTHR 

Did you know?:

Cattle help produce more than 100 different medicines

Everyday 76 million Americans eat beef

Scout’s Treats @scoutstreats

Farm Product – Dairy

Celebrity Partner - TBA

Did you know?:

The average cow drinks 30-50 gallons of water a day...  That's enough to fill a bathtub!

The average Indiana dairy herd has 84 cows

Tacos Without Borders @tacoswoborders

Farm Product - Poultry

Celebrity Partner - TBA

Did you know?:

There are more chickens living on earth than people.

Chickens can run at a speed of 9 mph.

New York Slice @TheNYslice

Farm Product - Pork

Celebrity Partner -Deb Honeycutt of WFMS

Did you know?:

Pork is 16% leaner than it was 15 years ago!

"Loin" is the leanest cut of pork!

West Coast Tacos @westcoasttacos

Farm Product - Corn

Celebrity Partner – TBA

Did you know?:

One bushel of corn is about the size of a laundry basket.

An ear of corn averages 800 kernels in 16 rows.

Some of this! Some of that! @SOTSOT1

Farm Product - Soybeans

Celebrity Partner – TBA

Did you know?:

The vegetable oil in your pantry is most likely soybean oil

Candles and crayons made from soybeans were invented by Purdue students’ right here in Indiana.

See you March 8!

Meet a Farmer: Nathan Kuehnert

Nathan Kuehnert

Dairy Farmer

Fort Wayne, Indiana

How did you become a farmer?:   Dairy farming is what I grew up doing with family, so I guess you could say “it’s in my blood”.  My brother and I started showing cows through 4-H at a very young age and really learned how to “care” for the cows.  I worked on the farm through all my years in school, and while being away at college I realized how much I missed being at home doing what I loved.

How does your family ensure your cows stay comfortable?:  Nearly every activity that we do on the dairy is centered around one common goal:  To make the cows' lives a little more comfortable.  We have always believed that “a happy, healthy, comfortable cow is a profitable cow”.  We help to achieve this level of comfort in many ways by providing:  a fresh balanced diet of hay, corn, vitamins and minerals every single day, fresh clean water to drink, a meticulously groomed bed of sand to sleep on, big fans to keep air fresh and cool, and a water sprinkler shower on hot days. 

If you weren’t a dairy farmer, what would you do?:  That’s a very interesting question that I honestly think about at times, especially after a full seven day, 100 hour work week.  I believe that I would have become a doctor.  I feel that a doctor would have been a great career fit for me because I love to work under pressure and I really enjoy taking care of our cows that don’t feel well and getting them back to good health.

How many generations work on your farm?:  My brother and I are the 5^th generation to dairy farm at this location.  We are really proud that there are currently four generations at the farm on a daily basis.  My grandfather, Melvin, is here every day and is our “do anything man”.  He performs daily tasks like driving tractors and repairing equipment, however his favorite job is giving his great-grandchildren a ride on his ATV.  My father, Alan, and my Uncle Stan manage all of the daily functions on the dairy from feeding the cows to harvesting the crops.  My mother, Cindy, wife, Sarah, and sister-in-law, Brittany, feed all of the baby calves every day, which is probably the most important job.  My brother, Andrew, is in charge of the nutrition and ensures that the cows get a balanced diet every single day.  My main duty is helping to keep the cows healthy and happy by providing the proper care and administering the right medications.  I also manage our cattle reproductive program and make the genetic decisions.  We are also very lucky to have a couple of young men who work with us that are like family:  Kyle Walters, Luke Hesterman, and Colton Brown.   

     
What is the best thing about being a farmer?:  It’s pretty cool knowing at the end of each and every day that we have worked to provide the world with “Nature’s most perfect food”: MILK.  There is a lot of pride knowing that everything we do is surrounded around one goal:  to make the cleanest, purest, most high quality milk that we can.  And this is all possible by maintaining a healthy, happy cow.    

What is your personal philosophy on farming?:  We strive to feed the world by being good stewards of the land, excellent caretakers of our cows, and great neighbors in our community. 

What is the one thing that is always in YOUR grocery cart?

As we conclude Ag Appreciation Month, we would like to thank all of our Indiana Farmers for keeping our grocery carts full...

...and our grills fully stocked this year!

As a way to say thanks to you for purchasing all our farmers have to offer, we are giving away another $50 grocery gift card to one lucky reader/facebook fan/twitter follower!

To enter, just comment here, post on our facebook fan page or tweet @familyoffarmers and let us know the one thing we would always find in your grocery cart.

Winner will be announced on Friday.

Media Cow Milking Champion Crowned!

For Immediate Release

INDIANAPOLIS (March 21, 2011) —As the final celebration of Agriculture Appreciation Month, today Tracy Forner of  WISH-TV’s Indy Style’s demonstrated his “dairy domination” to become Indiana’s Family of Farmers Media Cow Milking Champion!

Action shot of Media Cow Milking Champion, Tracy Forner.

The Milking Madness took place on the Government South lawn with each contestant given just 60 seconds to show their “udder” skill. Forner squeezed out the competition and confirmed his slot in the coveted Indiana State Fair Cow Milking Competition this summer for the Year of the Soybean.

 “As a professional dairyman I’ve seen a lot of milkers in my day, but Tracy is one of the best.  Good hands, good technique – all around a great champion,” said Indiana Agriculture Director, Joe Kelsay.

Dave Smiley of WZPL’s Smiley Morning Show, 2011 State Fair Queen Sarah Alford, Media Cow Milking Champion, Tracy Forner of WISH-TV’s Indy Style, Kjerstin Ramsing from FOX59’S Morning Show, John Stehr of WTHR-TV, Andi Hauser from WISH-TV’s Indy Style and Indiana Agriculture Director, Joe Kelsay.

Final amounts:

(100 ml)  Tracy Forner from WISH-TV’s Indy Style

(70 ml)  Andi Hauser from WISH-TV’s Indy Style

(Trace)  John Stehr of WTHR

(Trace)  Kjerstin Ramsing from FOX59’S Morning Show            

(Trace)  Dave Smiley of the Smiley Morning Show on WZPL-FM

Indiana’s Family of Farmers would like to thank all of the media contestants for participating, the Statehouse Events and Tours Department for their support, Indiana Pork and Milk Promotion Services of Indiana for providing a taste of the State fair with free pork burgers and milk for spectators, and Steve Hendress, animal science instructor and assistant manager of the dairy research farm at Purdue University who was kind enough to drive today’s cow Sheila and Patty the 4-day old calf all the way from Lafayette for the occasion.

We are also grateful to Dave Russell of Brownfield radio who served as master of ceremonies, Indiana Agriculture Director Joe Kelsay for his “color commentary,” 2011 State Fair Queen Sarah Lynn Alford for her punctual timekeeping and IFOF representative Andy Dietrick of Indiana Farm Bureau who served as judge.

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. Food for your family, from our family.

Learn more at www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com.

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Photos are available in a higher resolution upon request. You will also find additional photos on the Indiana’s Family of Farmers Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/FamilyofFarmers

Contact information:

Jeannie Keating, Manager of Media Relations

Indiana State Department of Agriculture

317.696.9695, jkeating@isda.in.gov

Agriculture Appreciation Month in Indiana Concludes with “Moovalous” Media Cow Milking Contest!

Media Advisory

INDIANAPOLIS (March 17, 2011) — As the conclusion of the celebration of Agriculture Appreciation Month, five members of the Indianapolis media will see who squeezes out the competition in the Indiana’s Family of Farmers Media Cow Milking Contest on the Government South lawn Monday, March 21 at 11:30 a.m.

      

Contestants include John Stehr of WTHR, Kjerstin Ramsing from FOX59’S Morning Show, Tracy Forner & Andi Hauser from WISH-TV’s Indy Style and Dave Smiley of the Smiley Morning Show on WZPL-FM. Dave Russell of Brownfield radio will serve as master of ceremonies, Indiana Agriculture Director (and dairy farmer) Joe Kelsay will provide coaching and “color commentary,” 2011 State Fair Queen Sarah Lynn Alford will be the official timekeeper and IFOF representative Andy Dietrick of Indiana Farm Bureau  will serve as the judge.

Each contestant will be given just 60 seconds to show they have the “udder” skill to earn the honor of Indiana’s Family of Farmers Media Cow Milking Champion and confirm his or her slot in the coveted State Fair Cow Milking Competition this summer for the Year of the Soybean.

In addition, spectators will be able to enjoy an early taste of the State Fair with Indiana Pork providing free pork burgers on a first come-first served basis.  Plus, Milk Promotion Services of Indiana will make a cool contribution from the Dairy Bar by providing milk chugs also on a first-come first-served basis.   

Who:                

John Stehr of WTHR

Kjerstin Ramsing from FOX59’S Morning Show

Andi Hauser from WISH-TV’s Indy Style 

Tracy Forner from WISH-TV’s Indy Style

Dave Smiley of the WZPL-FM Smiley Morning Show

Indiana Agriculture Director Joe Kelsay

Dave Russell of Brownfield Radio  

2011 State Fair Queen, Sarah Lynn Alford 

Andy Dietrick of Indiana Farm Bureau

         

When:              

Monday, March 21, 2011

Time:              

11:30 a.m.

Where:           

Government Center South Lawn

Off of Robert Orr Drive

Indianapolis, IN

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. Food for your family, from our family.

Learn more at www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com.

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Contact information:

Jeannie Keating, Manager of Media Relations

Indiana State Department of Agriculture

317.696.9695, jkeating@isda.in.gov

Our Food, Our Farmers: Grades 10-12 Essay Winner

Our Food, Our Farmers Ag Essay Contest – 2011

Written Essay Winner: Grades 10-12

Morgan Williams, 12^th Grader at Rushville Consolidated High School

Teacher:  Blair Orme

“Food for Thought – Our Food, Our Farmers”

Indiana agriculture has influenced our lives in more ways than we realize. Without our farms, life as we know it today would cease to exist. Agriculture is essential to our lives. Farmers not only feed and provide us with clothing, but they also protect our environment and boost our economy. Farms keep our way of life going.

In recent years, agriculture has come to mean more than just farming the land and feeding our population. Farmers in Indiana and all across the nation constantly develop new ways to protect and preserve our environment. They discover new ways to preserve our soil and farm the land more efficiently. These days, agriculturalists help keep our food safe to eat, efficiently produce more products, and help our economy grow and prosper.

The safety of our food has become a debated issue within the United States. Agricultural research has developed new ways to farm the land efficiently without the use of pesticides and chemicals. Researchers have found ways to keep food safe, while still protecting our crops from harmful insects and other sorts of animals. Regulations on how much of each chemical can be used and how much can be used have been established. Also, we have seen an increase in organic food on grocery shelves. More consumers want to see their food grown in more natural ways, with fewer chemicals.

Agriculture has grown to be more efficient by discovering ways to plant more and harvest more. Nowadays, farms harvest a significantly larger amount of crops within a year. With more being produced, agriculture has stimulated our sinking economy. The food and other goods produced from our farmers are essentials that consumers buy, and this all keeps our economy going.

Agriculture affects our everyday lives in positive ways that we tend to overlook. We take our food, our clothing, and our farms for granted more often than we should. We need to remember that without farms and rural communities, life could not go on. Indiana agriculture improves our lives and helps make this world a better place for everyone.

Our Food, Our Farmers: Grades 7-9 and Overall Essay Winner

Our Food, Our Farmers Ag Essay Contest – 2011

Written Essay Winner: Grades 7-9; Overall

Casey Campbell, 9th Grader at Franklin Community High School

Teacher:  Sarah Rapp

“Food for Thought – Our Food, Our Farmers”

Let’s think for a second. This morning you most likely had breakfast. Eggs? Bacon?

Follow the paths that your breakfast took. Those eggs came from a chicken. That chicken was on a farm, run by a farmer. That crispy bacon on your plate came from a hot, which came from a hog operation. Think of the work those farmers did for you. The care, effort, and time those farmers gave to give you one meal. American farmers feed and clothe us, contribute to the economy, protect the environment, improve our health and so much more.

American farmers feed you and me. They spend countless hours of hard work, effort and time into pulling food on the table, whether it’s the farmer in Florida or the grain producer in Iowa laboring over wheat to make your birthday cake. Your shirt was one of the 1,217 shirts that came from one 500 pound cotton bale! So where would we be without American farmers? Hungry and Naked, But, American farmers do much more than that.

Farmers do more than feed us. They feed the world’s economy. Agriculture employs about 14 percent of America’s workforce and accounts for more than 5 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. Agriculture and the economy are best friends. The crops fail, prices and demand go up. The economy goes bad, agriculture goes down with it.

If anyone protects the environment, it’s farmers. Farmers care of the land and protect it. They preserve the land by soil and water conservation. Because without the land, we couldn’t farm. They are for controlled and planned urbanization. On their farms, they increase energy efficiency. Farmers do so much to protect our planet.

Farmers improve our health by giving us a continual supply of high quality food and fibers. Farmers give us an abundance of goods to keep us healthy. They care about the quality of their products. They give us adequate nutrition we need for excellent health! Without the supply, we would no longer be here!

American agriculture plays an enormous role in my life, even if I didn’t live on a farm. Farmers keep me fed and clothed, they even improve my health. Not to mention how they protect the environment and improve the economy. So, thank you to all of Indiana’s farmers for doing what you do.

Statehouse displays capture love of Indiana food and its farmers

Media Advisory

INDIANAPOLIS (March 10, 2011) — As part of the celebration of Agriculture Appreciation Month,  Indiana’s Family of Farmers (IFoF), a coalition of more than a dozen ag-related organizations, will provide ag-related displays that highlight the products and services Indiana farmers provide Indiana families. Hoosiers are encouraged to visit the Statehouse South Atrium March 14-16 to learn more about where their food comes from and the many Indiana farmers who provide the wide array of products needed to ensure a dependable supply of it -- as well as fuel and fiber.

As part of the effort to help consumers make that vital connection, visitors can enjoy an interactive experience with the traveling exhibit for the Indiana Humanities Council’s two-year Food for Thought initiative, which examines and celebrates the ways food helps to define Indiana’s culture. The Food for Thought program considers food in the context of history, law, politics, science, the arts, religion, ethnicity and our place in the world.  Here is a glimpse of the exhibit:

What:            Indiana’s Family of Farmers Ag Displays 

           Indiana Humanities Council’s Food for Thought Exhibit

When:          Monday, March 14 thru Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Time:            All day until 3 p.m. Wednesday

Where:         Indiana Statehouse, South Atrium

                         Indianapolis, IN

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. Food for your family, from our family.

Learn more at www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com.

About the Indiana Humanities Council

The Indiana Humanities Council connects people, opens minds and enriches lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage people to think, read, talk and listen. Learn more at www.indianahumanities.org.

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Contact information:

Jeannie Keating, Manager of Media Relations

Indiana State Department of Agriculture

317.696.9695, jkeating@isda.in.gov

Kristen Fuhs Wells, Communications Director

Indiana Humanities Council

317.638.1500 x125, kwells@indianahumanities.org