INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (March 14, 2016) – Indiana’s farmers and ag leaders are doing their part this week to help Hoosiers understand the important role agriculture as we celebrate national Ag Week 2016 with the theme of “Stewards of a Healthy Planet.” Ag Week is March 13-19 and Indiana’s Family of Farmers is commemorating the week through sharing stories and facts about the many ways Indiana’s agricultural community stewards the environment.
Follow along with Indiana’s Family of Farmers on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FamilyofFarmers and on Twitter using @FamilyofFarmers.
“Agriculture has been a vital part of Indiana’s history since the state’s establishment 200 years ago,” said Joe Steinkamp, president of Indiana Soybean Alliance and farmer from Evansville, Ind. “The agricultural community continues to play an important role not only in Indiana’s economy and culture, but also the stewardship of Indiana’s natural resources and environment.”
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Quotes from Indiana agricultural organizations:
· “Farmers care deeply about the land, the animals, the water and the air for which they are responsible. Every farmer wants to leave his or her little piece of this Earth in better shape than he or she found it. It’s our legacy, and we know how priceless it is.” Randy Kron of Evansville, Ind., president of Indiana Farm Bureau
· “Indiana farmers are dedicated to feeding this growing world population. This dedication is equaled only by their commitment to protecting the land that makes it possible. As stewards of a healthy planet, they care for the soil that provides us food, fuel and clothes.” Jane Hardisty, Indiana NRCS State Conservationist
· “Though each farmer’s conservation plan is unique, managing for soil health is one of the most effective ways to improve the environment while increasing crop productivity and profitability. Implementing this approach not only results in healthy soil that reduces erosion, requires less nutrient inputs, manages the effects of extreme weather, and reduces nutrient and sediment loading to streams and rivers but it also optimizes the farmer’s inputs, sustains outputs and increases resiliency. Likewise, farmers who work towards healthy soil on their farm will ultimately have a positive impact on climate change when incorporating cover crops and no-till into their conservation plan.” Jane Hardisty, Indiana NRCS State Conservationist
· “Indiana’s pig farmers are using the best practices to ensure safe, affordable pork for consumers to enjoy. Pig farms use less land and energy than ever before. Many modern pig farms also specialize in a particular time frame of a pig’s life cycle to provide the best care possible.” Jason Slaton of Atlanta, Ind., president of Indiana Pork
· “Agriculture has been a vital part of Indiana’s history since the state’s establishment 200 years ago. The agricultural community continues to play an important role in Indiana’s economy and culture, but also the stewardship of Indiana’s natural resources and environment.” Joe Steinkamp, president of Indiana Soybean Alliance and farmer from Evansville, Ind.
· “With such diversity, Sennett Cattle Company has flourished in an environment of scrutiny and is able to be sustainable due to environmental and stewardship practices. Implementing rotational grazing, manure management, wildlife habitat restoration and minimum/no-till planting practices, has allowed them to be economically sustainable.” Clark Sennett of Waynetown, Ind. was the recipient of the National Environmental Stewardship Award given by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association: The diverse cattle/farming operation also consists of a fenced wooded acreage and ponds to provide valuable habitat for wildlife.
· “Among many programs at the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, the most predominant effort related to ‘Stewards of a Healthy Planet’ involves our Division of Soil Conservation. They work very closely with the Indiana Conservation Partnership, who are both raising the bar to improve overall water quality and soil health in Indiana. Countless families, as well as our economy, rely on Indiana’s natural resources, so we must remain good stewards of the land to ensure that those resources exist for future generations.” Ted McKinney, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture
About Indiana’s Family of Farmers: Indiana's Family of Farmers was formed in 2009. Its purpose is to bring awareness that Indiana's farmers are among the top producers of grains, produce and meats you eat every day because we believe that quality farming means quality food that is good for you, your families and the environment. Learn more at www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com.
