Indiana farmers gathered in the north atrium of the state's capital last Thursday to meet with legislators over breakfast and discuss the 2015 session. The event was hosted and sponsored by the Indiana Corn Growers Association and the Indiana Soybean Alliance Membership and Policy Committee.
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"Talking with our state legislators is a vital task for farmers," said Josh Kirkpatrick, chairman of the ISA Membership and Policy Committee. "The only way legislators will know our needs and concerns is if we explain to them the reality of life on the farm and the impact legislation will have on our operations. This morning's breakfast allowed us to do just that."
ISA and ICGA farmer-directors visited with dozens of state senators and representatives on issues, including grain indemnity legislations, property taxes, funding for Indiana State Board of Animal Health and Purdue University and more.
Along with representatives and senators from around the state, Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann was in attendance this year, taking time to discuss issues currently on the table that matter to agriculture with those who are affected by it daily.
Indiana House Bill 1549, which seeks to update the Grain Indemnity legislation continues to move forward. A major update would be to increase the funds cap. Producers, commodity groups, livestock industry representative as well as member organizations came together to support this piece of legislation.
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"ICGA and ISA Membership and Policy Committee offer members an opportunity to come together with a unified message on state and federal legislative issues," said Mike Beard, ICGA director from Clinton County. "The organizations represent Indiana soybean and corn farmers on issues that matter to them and ensure legislators understand farmers' perspectives on important legislation."