INDIANAPOLIS – The first-ever Farm to Capitol event drew about 500 people to the Indiana Statehouse lawn on March 18, with a goal of helping attendees – especially the general public – learn about agriculture in the state.

“We hope that they learned there is a variety of agriculture in Indiana, that farmers care for their land and animals well, and that encouraging the next generation is a must for agriculture,” said Regan Herr, communications director for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA).

Visitors were able to speak with representatives of several agriculture-related organizations, and see animals such as piglets, bottle calves, chickens and goats. Attendees included the general public, state employees, legislators, lobbyists and statehouse staff, she said.

Farm to Capitol was hosted by Indiana’s Family of Farmers (IFOF), and was scheduled to coordinate with National Ag Day, Herr said. IFOF is a non-profit collaborative organization made up of Indiana agriculture organizations such as Indiana Farm Bureau (INFB), ISDA, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and several commodity groups, she said.

The event included tents with booths from commodity organizations, food trucks, a corn hole game and Case IH and John Deere tractors on display.

Ethan Wolheter, Indiana FFA state president, said he enjoyed the fellowship between agriculturalists and everyone else who walked up to the different booths, allowing for agriculture to be advocated for through conversations and relationships.

“I did have the opportunity to have a conversation with someone who had not had much experience with agriculture and did not have a farming background at all,” he recalled. “We were able to discuss how agriculture is a part of so many different aspects of everyday life, many ways that they did not even recognize.

“I think that these kind of events are not only important but highly critical to bridging the gap between the producer and the consumer. An event such as this is a great opportunity to spread the word about the importance of agriculture.”

Cale Williams, Indiana FFA southern region vice president, said Farm to Capitol allowed him the opportunity to share his love for agriculture with others.

“As a fourth generation agriculturalist, my greatest passion has always been to advocate for the agriculture industry and to share its story with others,” he said. “I loved networking with industry professionals during this event and interacting with the public to teach them about the importance of agriculture.”

Williams said it was fun to bring his rural background to the city of Indianapolis and promote agriculture’s efforts to an urban population.

“One of the coolest parts of talking with those who don’t have an agricultural background is to see their genuine interest in how crops and livestock are raised effectively, efficiently, and in a healthy manner to meet the demands placed on America’s small production agriculture population,” he said. “While some ask the occasional question as to what an animal’s name is, I often get questioned as to what animals eat or how a certain food is processed.

“These questions display an authentic care for the work the agriculture industry is doing and others’ willingness to positively advocate for agriculture, too.”

Herr said organizers hope Farm to Capitol becomes an annual event.

Before attending Farm to Capitol, Wolheter and Williams participated in Indiana FFA and Indiana Farm Bureau Advocacy Day. One hundred FFA members, along with ISDA and INFB staff, met with legislators to discuss agriculture-related topics and concerns. The event was also scheduled to coordinate with National Ag Day.

“National Ag Day has always been one of my favorite days of the year,” Williams said. “I love celebrating the industry that formed me into the person I am today. I enjoyed getting to share agriculture’s story to a different audience than I am normally used to.”

As a part of the National FFA Organization’s National Ag Day celebration, members, advisers and organization leaders planned to meet with elected officials and their communities in Washington, D.C., to share the importance of agriculture.

Ag Day is a reminder of the collective effort and dedication it takes to keep our world nourished, clothed and thriving, Scott Stump, CEO of the National FFA Organization, said in a statement. “Agriculture is not just about providing food and fiber; it is the foundation of innovation, sustainability, and community development. Every day, farmers and agricultural professionals work tirelessly to adopt advanced technologies, improve yields and care for the environment, ensuring that future generations can thrive.”

The day after National Ag Day was Agriculture Trade Day. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun declared Indiana Ag Trade Day for the 19th.

“Agricultural trade is an important source of both jobs and revenue for our rural communities,” Braun said in a statement. “Nearly one-third of gross cash farm income comes from agricultural exports, and in Indiana, more than 46,000 jobs are supported by exporting the products that are raised or grown in the Hoosier state.”