By ANN HINCH
Assistant Editor

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — In 1944, farmer Fred Brouillette formed the Dunn Grain Co. in northwestern Indiana; his son, Don, changed the name to Demeter, Inc. in 1973 after combining Dunn with four other grain businesses.

Last week, JoAnn Brouillette – Don’s daughter – accepted the state’s AgriVision Award at the Indiana State Fair. It was first awarded in 2007, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Skillman said, to honor those with deep commitment and vision for the state’s agricultural industry.

According to Skillman, Brouillette – a managing partner at what is now Demeter LP (named for the Greek goddess of the harvest) – guided the family business through a sale and merger with Archer Daniels Midland Co. 14 years ago and under her leadership, Demeter organized to retain its leases on its northern Illinois and Wisconsin elevators, and its corporate office.

She credited Brouillette with her business savvy for fostering growth at Demeter after the sale. In addition, Skillman explained Brouillette has served on several advisory boards and been a strong partner in development and promotion of Indiana ag.

“We run a very lean operation,” Brouillette said of showing up alone to accept the award, though crediting her employees as “the backbone” of Demeter, “and they’re back (in Fowler, Ind.) running the ship.

“I am very bullish on our industry and particularly bullish on the opportunities here in Indiana, as we have an infrastructure in place that puts us at a competitive advantage,” she said, leading off with the fact the state has some of the most fertile farmland in the world.

Added to that is the transportation infrastructure, including two Class 1 railroads and several short-lines, a navigable river and interstate highway system. She also cited having Purdue University – a nationally-recognized authority on agriculture and ag economics – as well as its students, the next stewards of the state’s ag legacy.

“Don’t believe the naysayers out there who doubt this rising generation,” she said. “I have been around these kids, and they are articulate, motivated, inquisitive, well-rounded – and I include my niece, who is here with me today.”

Brouillette is positive on international trade and credited state government for its efforts on behalf of Indiana agriculture, explaining 97 percent of the world’s population is outside U.S. borders and that we need to make our country available to “open and fair” trade.

“If we don’t, somebody else will get this growing business,” she said.

Skillman said she and Gov. Mitch Daniels, between them, have led nine trade missions to 14 countries during their administration. This included a recent trip to China that resulted in an on-the-spot contract for the Weaver Popcorn Co. to provide popcorn for movie theaters, as well as deals to buy Hoosier hardwoods.

“We are working on as many as seven projects as a direct result of that trade mission,” Skillman said.