Indiana State Department of Agriculture

07/08/2026

Calling all Indiana SWCD Board Members! Your voice is essential in shaping the future of conservation in Indiana.

Regional listening sessions are happening this summer as part of a statewide SWCD Capacity Assessment. These sessions are your opportunity to share what’s working, where support is needed, and what would strengthen your district. All board members are welcome and you may attend any session that fits your schedule. Sessions are conversational and no preparation is needed.

A virtual option will also be available for those unable to join in person.

Your input directly informs recommendations that will help ISDA and the State Soil Conservation Board better support districts across the state.

Register today at the link below:

🔎https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0tUW1nBroa-S6cqNLPuVRCgkJxEvZRGPatjVpCOl4QanNtA/viewform

07/04/2026

Happy Independence Day!

📸: Heather Knight from Greenwood

07/03/2026

ISDA had a great time participating in The Great American State Fair this week! We helped showcase a miniature golf course celebrating Hoosier culture, motorsports and agriculture. We always love the opportunity to highlight the best of Indiana agriculture!

📸 Below are some pictures from the event 📸

07/02/2026

ISDA is administering a new cost share program for producers in southwest Indiana!

The Indiana Management of Agriculture Enhancements (IMAGE) Cost-Share Program is a conservation funding initiative to help producers implement practical conservation improvements on their operations.

The program will be piloted in the following counties: Brown, Clay, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Johnson, Knox, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Perry, Pike, Posey, Putnam, Spencer, Sullivan, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo, and Warrick.

Visit the link below to find more information about the program and how to apply.

🔎: https://www.in.gov/isda/divisions/soil-conservation/image-cost-share-program/

06/30/2026

Indiana had great representation at the Summer Fancy Food Show this week!

Eight Indiana companies exhibited at the event, which attracts more than 30,000 food and beverage industry professionals and features more than 2,500 exhibitors. It is the premier product discovery event for specialty foods, where exhibitors showcase new and innovative products.

Among the eight Indiana companies participating, five were Indiana Grown members! Those members pictured:
Turchetti's
Tulip Tree Creamery
Smoking Goose Meatery
Sechler's Pickles, INC
Your Grandpa's Old Fashioned

06/26/2026

Employee Spotlight: Megan Bixler

As ISDA's International Trade Director, Megan is focused on helping companies and agricultural producers explore opportunities for exporting their products around the world.

This week, Megan presented at the Indiana Livestock Summit where she gave an overview of the current economic landscape impacting U.S. agriculture and Indiana producers. She also discussed trends in global demand, export opportunities, competitiveness, and the broader outlook for grain and livestock in the global marketplace.

Keep up the great work, Megan!

06/25/2026

Local food producers interested in selling to restaurants, grocery stores, schools or wholesale distributors can join the virtual MarketReady Producer Training this August.

Participants will learn how to meet buyer expectations and prepare their businesses for new market opportunities. The three sessions will take place Aug. 4, 11 and 18 from 7-8:30 p.m. EST.

ISDA is helping cover registration for eligible applicants. Contact [email protected] or 765-543-1230 to check eligibility before registration. The cost is $50 for those who are not eligible for the discount. Registration is limited to 30 participants and the deadline to apply is July 28.

06/24/2026

One week remaining! ISDA is accepting submissions by July 1 for the following items.

📸 Photo Contest - ISDA is accepting photos for the Indiana Agriculture Photo Contest for the following categories: On the Farm, Faces of Agriculture, Agritourism and Conservation. More information and how to submit photos can be found here: https://www.in.gov/isda/programs-and-initiatives/indiana-state-department-of-agriculture-photo-contest/

🚜AgriVision Award - AgriVision is the highest agricultural honor presented by the state. More information about submitting a nomination can be found here: https://www.in.gov/isda/programs-and-initiatives/agrivision-award/

✅ State Fair Board Election Delegate - Agricultural organizations looking to certify to vote in the State Fair Board election for District 4 must apply to the director of agriculture. This application is for eligible agricultural organizations looking to send a voting delegate to vote in the State Fair Board election for District 4. Eligibility requirements, counties located within District 4 and more information can be found here: https://www.in.gov/isda/about/about-isda/state-fair/

06/23/2026

Please take a moment to read the story below. To learn more about the Maverick Minute and the important being done to Pause. Inspect. Protect, visit https://maverickminute.org/

One year ago, a tragedy that no farm family should ever have to endure forever changed a Southern Indiana community. On June 23, 2025, a devastating accident on a farm near Seymour in Jackson County claimed the

06/22/2026

Exciting news from the Indiana Meat Packers and Processors Association (IMPPA)!

IMPPA has received a one-year extension for the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP), which is a USDA-funded revolving loan program designed to support Indiana’s local meat and poultry processors.

For more information about the program and the extension, visit the link below.

🔎: https://imppa.org/imppa-receives-one-year-extension-for-usda-funded-meat-and-poultry-loan-program/

Big news for Indiana’s meat and poultry processors! 🎉 IMPPA has secured a one-year extension of the USDA-funded Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP), helping support growth, expansion, and investment opportunities for local processors across the state.

Learn what this extension means for Indiana’s meat industry and how processors can benefit. Full story in the comments.👇