By EMMA HOPKINS-O’BRIEN
Indiana Correspondent INDIANAOPLIS, Ind. — At an event hosted by Indiana’s Family of Farmers (IFF) at the Statehouse in late March, the Indiana State Fair announced the families that will be featured at this year’s fair and honored the top two winners of the IFF’s youth essay contest. The event was also a celebration of National Ag Day. Corteva Agriscience is sponsoring the Featured Farmers this year at the fair from August 2-18. The program is in its fifth year, and each year celebrates and helps put a face to agriculture in Indiana by connecting consumers with farmers. The 17 farms honored this year represent all regions of the state and showcase a range of products. “Our Featured Farmers program introduces fairgoers to Hoosier farmers each day during the fair with opportunities to learn more about where their food comes from,” said Cindy Hoye, executive director of the Indiana State Fair Commission. “These farmers have incredible stories to tell. On average, an American farmer feeds more than 165 people – that’s up from 25 people in the 1960s. American agriculture is doing more and doing it better.” Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler also gave a brief address: “We are here to celebrate ag on this great day, and all of the men and women who make it such a great industry. It doesn’t matter whether you live in rural parts of Indiana, here in the cities, or in the suburbs. I think we all know and understand that ag impacts everything that we do, no matter where we live.” Lt. Gov. and Secretary of Agriculture Suzanne Crouch also expressed her appreciation. “Today we celebrate you, our farming families, and all that you do for Indiana and all you do to take ag to the next level,” she said. “Agriculture is at the heart of Indiana. “Although we’re one of the smaller states geographically, we are an agriculture powerhouse.” The state fair’s theme this year is “Heroes in the Heartland,” sponsored by the Indiana Donor Network. The fair will feature firefighters, veterans, and farmers, as well as other “superheroes” who keep Indiana’s citizens safe and well. This year’s featured farms include: •Huber family – Huber's Orchard & Winery, Clark County •Rodibaugh family – Rodibaugh Show Pigs (soybeans and pork), Jasper County •Mark Smith – Mark Smith Farms (llamas), Montgomery County •Sean Smith – Culver Duck, Elkhart County •Gelfius family – Gelfius Farms (tomatoes and pork), Bartholomew County •Arnholt family – Arnholt Farms (corn and green beans), Bartholomew County •Jeff Martin – Triple B Tilapia, Jasper County •Jill & Brian Houin – Homestead Dairy, Marshall County •Lamb family – Lamb Farms (popcorn), Boone County •Sommer family – Sommer Farms (corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and dairy cows), Adams County •Sam & Darren Schwoeppe – Schwoeppe Dairy Farm, Dubois County •Glenn Morris (beef, corn, and soybeans), Gibson County •Emily & Cory Studebaker (poultry), Whitley County •Cline family – Cline Farms (corn, soybeans, and pork), Tipton County •Kevin Bohman - Bohman Bee Co., Jefferson County The final part of the event was devoted to honoring the top two winners of the 2019 Indiana Family of Farmers essay contest, which was offered this year to students in grades 4-6. The theme was “Agriculture: Food for Life,” and students were challenged to think critically about how agriculture plays a role in their lives and the lives of those around them. The second-place winner was Lucas Scholler, a fourth-grader from Alexandria Monroe Intermediate School. He lives on a beef operation, and was invited to share his contribution. “Did you know beef cattle are an important part of the ag industry that provides food for life?” Scholler began his essay. “In a cut of beef there are important vitamins and minerals like iron, vitamin B6, B12, zinc, and selenium. “Beef can provide protein with fewer calories than peanut butter or black beans. I’m proud as a cattle farmer to provide healthy food for people in my community.” He received a $100 prize. The first-place winner was Josie Butler, a fifth-grader from Tipton Elementary School. She focused her essay on how though she is not a farmer, she is still affected greatly by the ag industry. “Research has taught me that agriculture affects everyone, every day,” she wrote. “You don’t have to be a farmer or a member of FFA to learn about agriculture. Now I understand that buying locally grown produce helps the economy of my community. The farms around me provide the vegetables that are sometimes sold there.” She also learned weather is more than a mild concern for farmers, but critical to their livelihood. She concluded her essay with: “If you get a chance, thank a farmer.” She received $200. |
