Indiana farmers have many challenges to manage during the growing season. While weather, weeds and insects are expected, changes in laws, rules and regulations can be just as important.

The Indiana Ag Policy Summit is an annual policy-focused program presented by the Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership and Policy Committee (M&P) and the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA). This year’s event is scheduled for Wednesday, July 31 at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds in Noblesville, Ind. Registration for the Summit will open at 7:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 8:30 a.m. Lunch is included, and the program will wrap up with a time for farmers to interact with lawmakers, legislative staff and ag stakeholders from noon to 3 p.m. Go online to bit.ly/INAgPolicySummit to register.

Former USDA Director Mike Johanns, who served in President George W. Bush’s cabinet from 2005-2007, will be the keynote speaker. He was Governor of Nebraska from 1999-2005 and the state’s U.S. Senator from 2009-2015.

Johanns will provide an overview of the 2024 Farm Bill’s status, addressing potential outcomes and alternatives as the current bill’s September expiration approaches. He will highlight key political dynamics and discuss solutions to help farmer secure future funding. Additionally, Johanns will cover how the Research and Development Tax credit has helped U.S. farmers reinvest in their operations. With farm bill funding uncertain, Johanns said this incentive has proven valuable for farmers tasked with feeding America’s growing population. This session is collaborative and will conclude with a 20-minute question-and-answer session. Greg Knarr, director of alliantgroup, will moderate.

“The Ag Policy Summit is a great event for getting the opportunity to talk with other farmers about what’s important on their farm, and to talk to policy decision-makers about what rules and regulations might be coming our way,” said ICGA President Chris Cherry, a farmer from Hancock County, Ind. “With former USDA Secretary Johanns coming, we will definitely talk about federal policy and the farm bill. However, there are issues such as encouraging Indiana to create more infrastructure for container shipping of ag products that will also be discussed.”

Expanding the state’s container shipping capacity has been identified as a key objective to support Indiana’s economic and agricultural growth by the Ports of Indiana and the state’s corn and soybean checkoff programs – the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) and Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC). A panel will discuss these plans at the Summit.

Also on the agenda is a discussion led by the American Soybean Association’s Kyle Kunkler on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s herbicide strategy to comply with the Endangered Species Act. This strategy affects what pesticides farmers can use in certain areas of the state.

The Technology Showcase will feature select ag tech companies that are working towards solutions to make farming more efficient. The companies cover technology that’s used in new equipment, grain handling and plant research. Equipment dealer Bane-Welker will showcase live demonstrations of Raven and Trimble equipment. Plus, Bane-Welker will offer savings on select displays and steering units and have staff on hand to answer questions. In all, approximately 10 companies will display in the Showcase. Stay updated on more company announcements for the Technology Showcase on ISA and ICGA’s social media pages.

Finally, ICGA and M&P will announce their 2024 Friend of Farmer award winner. Last year, Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, was the award winner. The award is presented to someone who has promoted the interests of Indiana farmers through ag policy advocacy. Previous winners include State Rep. Ed Soliday, U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, State Sen. Jean Leising and State Rep. Don Lehe.

Hoosier Ag Today Vice President and host of the Indiana Ag Policy Podcast Eric Pfeiffer will once again emcee this year’s Ag Policy Summit.

Many sponsors make events like the Ag Policy Summit possible. This year’s comes from Premier sponsor alliantgroup; Gold sponsors Pioneer and Farm Credit Mid-America; Silver sponsors Bane-Welker and Insta-Pro; Bronze sponsor Beck’s Hybrids. Lunch is sponsored by the United Soybean Board (USB), the national soybean checkoff program.

New this year is the Member Appreciation Night – exclusive for ICGA and M&P members. This will be an evening of fun, food and networking as a perk to members. This event is set for July 30 at West Fork Whiskey in Westfield, Ind., the night before the Indiana Ag Policy Summit. Anyone interested in becoming a member and attending the Member Appreciation Night should contact Khyla Goodman, Industry Affairs Outreach Manager for ICGA and M&P, at kgoodman@indianasoybean.com.