Family of Farmers

Thursday, March 10, 2011

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

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Our Food, Our Farmers: Grades 4-6 Essay Winner

Our Food, Our Farmers Ag Essay Contest – 2011

Written Essay Winner: Grades 4-6

Adrianna Dague, 6^th Grader at Caston Elementary, Fulton County

Teacher: Jennifer Baxter

“Food for Thought – Our Food, Our Farmers”

Farming is like a pebble thrown into a pond. It has a ripple effect on the whole community. Starting with part-time high school help who is working to afford the extras in life, or the full-time employee who is working to support their family.

There are a lot of businesses that wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for farming. From the veterinarian who cares for the many animals, to the fertilizer companies that help grow the crops.

As the ripple goes on, so do the effects on the community. The crops and animals will eventually travel from the farm to the grocery and clothing stores by way of the transportation system that is funded in part by the taxes that the many businesses related to agriculture pay.

Many colleges throughout Indiana offer agriculture degrees that help form the work base that is needed for future generations.

For my family farming is not a job or career, it is a way of life. It provides an opportunity for my parents to work from home. They’re always there to attend my many school and 4-H activities.

There is no other business that could cause such a ripple as farming.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Our Food, Our Farmers Video Winners

This week we will be sharing our winners from our video and essay contests, Our Food, Our Farmers.

Video

Grades 4-6:

Bill Roberson of Perry Central Community Schools, Perry County, Teacher: Neal Stahly

Grades 7-9:

Jacob Smith of Corydon Central High School, Harrison County, Teacher: Denise Harmon

Grades 10-12:

Kelly Beeker of Greenfield-Central High School, Hancock County, Teacher: Joe McCain

Video Overall Winner

Grades 10-12:
Kelly Beeker of Greenfield-Central High School, Hancock County, Teacher: Joe McCain

The contest is part of the Indiana Humanities Council’s two-year Food for Thought initiative, an examination and celebration of the ways food helps to define Indiana’s culture. The program considers food in the context of history, law, politics, science, the arts, religion, ethnicity and our place in the world. Hoosiers can learn more by visiting the Food for Thought traveling exhibit, on display at the Indiana Statehouse March 11th-16th as part of Agriculture Appreciation Month.

We will post essay winners later this week.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Lt. Governor honors essay contest winners that capture love of Indiana food and its farmers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Winners from grades 4-12 were awarded today at the Indiana Statehouse

INDIANAPOLIS (March 7, 2011) As part of the celebration marking Agriculture Appreciation Month here in Indiana, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman honored young Hoosiers at the Statehouse for their winning essays on “Our Food, Our Farmers.”

Sponsored by Indiana’s Family of Farmers and the Indiana Humanities Council, the 2011 Ag Essay Contest asked students to explain how Indiana agriculture plays a positive role in their own lives—and in the lives of those around them.

Students in grades 4-12 shared their personal perspectives on paper and video. Their themes ranged from asking us to “Follow the past our breakfast came from” to “How agriculture has affected our lives.”

“This essay contest was a great way for students to learn more about where their food comes from and the Hoosiers that produce it,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of the Indiana Humanities Council. “We are happy to partner with Indiana’s Family of Farmers and the Lieutenant Governor’s office to celebrate our rich agricultural history through the collection of student stories.”

There were two categories of competition: video essay and written essay; and three grade levels: 4-6; 7-9 and 10-12. More than 225 students submitted written essays, and more than 50 submitted video essays.

All winners received a Flip Video^TM Camcorder. The overall champion in each category received an Apple iPad.

Essay contest winners are as follows:

Written

Grades 4-6:

Adrianna Dague of Caston Elementary, Fulton County, Teacher: Mrs. Baxter

Grades 7-9:

Casey Campbell of Franklin Community High School, Johnson County, Teacher: Mrs. Rapp

Grades 10-12:

Morgan Williams of Rushville Consolidated High School, Rush County, Teacher: Blair Orme

Written Overall Winner

Grades 7-9:

Casey Campbell of Franklin Community High School, Johnson County, Teacher: Mrs. Rapp

Video

Grades 4-6:
Bill Roberson of Perry Central Community Schools, Perry County, Teacher: Neal Stahly

Grades 7-9:
Jacob Smith of Corydon Central High School, Harrison County, Teacher: Denise Harmon

Grades 10-12:
Kelly Beeker of Greenfield-Central High School, Hancock County, Teacher: Joe McCain

Video Overall Winner

Grades 10-12:
Kelly Beeker of Greenfield-Central High School, Hancock County, Teacher: Joe McCain.

The contest is part of the Indiana Humanities Council’s two-year Food for Thought initiative, an examination and celebration of the ways food helps to define Indiana’s culture. The program considers food in the context of history, law, politics, science, the arts, religion, ethnicity and our place in the world. Hoosiers can learn more by visiting the Food for Thought traveling exhibit, on display at the Indiana Statehouse March 11^th-16^th as part of Agriculture Appreciation Month.

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.

About the Indiana Humanities Council

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Photo 1: Lt. Governor Becky Skillman is pictured with Overall Written Essay Winner, Casey Campbell of Franklin Community High School; Keira Amstutz, President and CEO of the Indiana Humanities Council and Overall Video Essay Winner, Kelly Beeker of Greenfield-Central High School.

Photo 2: Lt. Governor Becky Skillman is pictured with Keira Amstutz, President and CEO of the Indiana Humanities Council (far right) and the attending Ag Essay Contest winners. From left to right: Kelly Beeker of Greenfield-Central High School; Morgan Williams of Rushville Consolidated High School; Bill Roberson of Perry Central Community Schools; Adrianna Dague of Caston Elementary and Casey Campbell of Franklin Community High School.

Additional photos of the individual winners are available upon request.

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

Jeannie Keating
Manager of Media Relations

Indiana State Department of Agriculture
One North Capitol, Suite 600
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 696-9695
jkeating@isda.in.gov

Arts and Innovation = Opportunity for Indiana

And the best of the best in innovation is seen in the Indiana Artisan!

By Indiana State Department of Agriculture's Jeannie Keating

Indiana Artisan is an independent organization that supports entrepreneurs who create high-quality art, crafts and value-added foods in the Hoosier state. It was originally launched in 2008 as a comprehensive program of the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Indiana Arts Commission and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

Who is an Indiana Artisan?

An Indiana Artisan is a Hoosier recognized for careful attention to detail, knowledge of a craft and an entrepreneurial spirit. Their extraordinary talent contributes to Indiana's reputation for quality work.

They produce anything from specialty cheeses, handmade stoneware, honey and honey-based products, wood arts, wines, jewelry and even—the finest high-quality maple syrup.

Take an Artisan Adventure this weekend to the National Maple Syrup Festival in Medora, Indiana and you will be able to taste the exquisite maple syrup of Indiana Artisan, Tim Burton.

Tim and his wife Angie host the Festival and invited other artisans. These include:

Jason Emmons, one of the top four chainsaw carvers in the United States chosen by Echo Outdoor Power Equipment to make up the national carving team in 2005. Thomas Wintczak a potter from Posey County who has studied the work of potters from the 18th and 19th centuries yet does not do reproductions. And the Founder of Chocolate for the Spirit, Julie Bolejack, who not only uses the best ingredients from around the world but achieved her professional chocolatier certification in 2008 from the esteemed Ecole Chocolat out of Vancouver, Canada.

Click here for other Indiana value-added food Indiana Artisans.

If you would like to win an Indiana shaped basket full of Indiana Artisans' goods, visit their site and let us know (in the comments or on our Facebook page) what Indiana product you would most like to try.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Raising Kids on the Farm

Guest Post By Real Farmwives of America and Friends' Jent of From My Front Porch

I heard one time that teaching children work ethic has changed: It used to be that kids were interwoven in the fabric of our work, they saw their parents work and often were required to participate – whether on the farm, running a store, at the mill etc. – kids were more exposed to the hard work and effort that it takes to support a thriving family.

Now don’t get me wrong – I have no desire to go back to the 1900’s – I am all about technology but I do see the value in this point and feel truly blessed to live on a farm where our kids see and participate in our work. Our kids are a part of our livelihood – our jobs are truly a family lifestyle – they witness everyday our work ethic – they live it! As my Father-In-Law says “Your work is your signature, sign it with pride” and I feel our kids witness this everyday on the farm.

I love the fact that my kids can: artificially inseminate sows, halter break a calf, assist a cow giving birth, drive tractors. They have seen a piglet take its first breath climbing over the back leg of a sow knowing instinctively where to go to nurse. They know how to walk out in a field and look to see if a seed has germinated. They help wean pigs every 5 weeks and are in charge of feeding and bedding the cows every day. Participating shoulder to shoulder with us and each other, they have learned responsibility and the advantage to cooperation. Our hope is that they learn the value of hard work, experiencing the satisfaction that it brings, and that work isn’t just something to get over with so you can move on to fun, but is something that can be rewarding as well. We feel instilling these qualities will pay dividends down the road, as well as right now, evidenced by their consistent appearance on the honor roll and their leadership roles in 4-H and FFA.

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Now just for the record our lives are not a Norman Rockwell painting everyday! I can remember before Chris installed the automatic waterer for the kids' show calves, it was their job everyday to make sure the water trough was full – it didn’t always get done. To prove my point of how important it was that the cattle have water at all times the kids' punishment was to go without water (drinks) for 24 hours to see how it felt! Now before anyone calls CPS – they were in school and I had no direct control over their thirst there and am pretty sure that they did not adhere 100% to my punishment but they did learn and needless to say the water trough was full every day until the automatic waterer was installed. This was also the year I sat our oldest down to fill out her 4-H beef paperwork and when she got to the question:

List 3 things you learned this year:

Animals need water and when they don’t get it, it makes my Mom very mad!

I had to laugh – definitely LESSON LEARNED!

During our busiest times of year (planting and harvest) if I am working in the field we often don’t eat supper until 9pm – this makes for grumpy kids sometimes and well quite frankly makes for a grumpy Mom too! The kids do homework in a tractor, combine, semi or grain office – not the most conducive to book learning but we make due. Then there are the days between school and extracurricular activities the only time they see their Dad is to catch a quick ride with him – but this is definitely one-on-one time! A true blessing on a multi-generational farm like ours is knowing that we all work together, if I am working, my mother in-law is always willing to run kids around, help with homework, and feed the hungry.

All in all the good times and laughter far outweigh the bad – and when the not so good come along we all definitely know how to pitch in, stick together and wade thru the manure (figuratively and literally) as a family.

I am so proud to be raising the 7^th generation to farm this same land if they choose to do so. Chris and I both grew up on farms and know the importance of agriculture and instilling that in our kids. We want them to know that if they want, we would love to have them be a part of something we love so much, but also know that if they choose to go a different direction in their life we are behind them 100% . But never forget where you came from and the importance that agriculture has in every single person’s life everyday!