In October of 2013, the Lt. Governor and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture put forth a challenge to Indiana colleges and universities to help educate the public on the good works of Indiana agriculture.

The challenge was to design a marketing/communications plan that can be implemented by the ISDA in 2014.

New director celebrates: ISDA Director Ted McKinney speaking at Ag Day Celebration at the Indiana Statehouse during the announcement of the "Promoting the Good Works of Agriculture" winner.

The group named "Lt. Governor's Task Force to Promote the Good Work of Indiana Agriculture" believes that this will be a great opportunity to help Hoosiers learn about the importance of agriculture, farming and agriculture-related businesses to our economy and to the overall health and well-being of Hoosiers.  In addition the group believes that the promotion will bring favorable exposure to the many agriculture-related career opportunities.

Related: 'Promoting the Good Works of Indiana Agriculture' Competition Winner Named

Indiana Commodity groups, corn and soybean, were on board 100%.  Along with Elanco and Indiana Farm Bureau, the prize money reached $25,000; $10,000 to be awarded to the winning college or university and the remaining $15,000 to be split among the team members.

"This challenge fit in perfectly with our strategic plan which states the need to educate consumers as they show more interest in how their food is produced" says Megan Kuhn, ISA Director of Communications. 

The Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council were on hand Tuesday, March 25 to help congratulate Huntington University's Hoosier Grown Team as the Lt. Governor announced that they won.  The winning team proposed a new brand image, integrating social media and an awareness of the agriculture economy and its opportunities.

Related: 'Agvocacy' and a Clear Look at Indiana Production Agriculture

"As our society get further removed from the farm, it is increasingly important for those still directly connected to agriculture to support efforts porting farmers and how we farm today," said Jane Ade Stevens, CEO of Indiana's corn and soybean organizations. 

"Our organizations are proud to join Lt. Governor Ellspermann in supporting this competition and are excited to see so many students working to support the industry that is so important to our rural communities and our state's economy."