Visiting with legislators

If you are anywhere near downtown Indianapolis, you've probably noticed it's been a bit busier since the first week of January. The legislature is in session. These are the folks that heavily influence policy on issues that affect all of us on a daily basis, so it's important to make sure your local legislators know where their constituents stand on various issues and how it will affect them.

Jack visiting with Senator and Assistant Minority Floor Leader Jean Breaux

There are a lot of great opportunities available to Farm Bureau members. One of them is the opportunity to be involved in this legislative process.

Several of our members, along with many other county Farm Bureaus, spent a few days already at the Statehouse visiting with their legislators on issues ranging from annexation to farmland taxes to infrastructure.

Anjuli, Kimmi and Katie with Senator Scott Schneider

Thanks to Senators Schneider, Taylor and Breaux for taking the time to meet with us this week and to the many others our members have visited with throughout this session.

As towns bordering rural areas continue to expand, they are annexing farmland. This usually isn't a good thing and usually, the farmers involved are far outnumbered when it comes to voting for this annexation. Keep in mind those farms have been in the community for generations in most cases; much longer than many of the subdivisions or expanding parts of town. They create jobs and stimulate the economy by buying from local vendors. It's important to us that farmers have a voice in these issues that affect their livelihoods. Same goes for farmland taxes. They need to be reasonable. This has been a hot topic for a while and affects so many people in this state.

Good roads are important to commuters, but also to agriculture. Milk trucks weigh a lot and need to get to the farm every day or two to pick up milk. Depending where the milk plant is, they may travel a ways to get there. Semis carrying grain need to take it to the elevators. There are countless other commodities that depend on strong roads and especially strong bridges. Strengthening our roads helps agriculture and all Hoosiers.

Here in Marion County, there's not as much farmland as in other parts of the state. We're a unique area. However, agriculture is just as important here as it is in any of those rural counties. It's an urban area where many residents are removed from the farm and may not know as much about how their food is produced. That's why one of our main focuses is on agricultural education for children and adults. Teaching students about farming helps them connect the dots with where their food comes from, while working with various community groups helps adults reconnect with this important sector.

Anjuli and Kimmi visiting with Senator Breaux

Connecting with consumers about agriculture is important. Connecting with legislators about ag issues is essential. If we want a voice, we need to join the conversation.