Gov. Braun, Lt. Gov. Beckwith talk with farmers at annual Bacon Bar and Brunch 

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Feb. 12, 2025) — Using bacon to grease the wheels of state legislation, more than 200 farmers, lawmakers, legislative staff and ag industry stakeholders met Wednesday morning for the Bacon Bar and Brunch at the Indiana Statehouse. The Brunch is the annual legislative breakfast for the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership and Policy Committee (M&P). 

The Brunch attracted more than 200 attendees to discuss a biofuels tax credit, property tax reform, and potential grain indemnity legislation. Gov. Mike Braun, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Don Lamb and dozens of state senators and representatives met face-to-face with farmers at the event. 

“We were very happy to see Gov. Braun, Lt. Gov. Beckwith and all of the other state legislators who attended the Brunch,” said Warren, Ind., farmer Brian Warpup, who is the chair of ISA’s Membership and Policy Committee. “This was a great opportunity to discuss issues that are very important to us. If we are not out here representing ourselves, no one else will do it for us.” 

ICGA President Chris Cherry, a farmer from New Palestine, Ind., agreed. “This is my fifth day at the Indiana Statehouse in the last two weeks, and what I’ve learned is the legislators want to hear from us,” he said. “I’m not sure I ever knew how important that was to them, but they know we are their constituents, and they recognize how important the Indiana Corn Growers Association and Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) organizations are for Indiana farmers.” 

“We’ve had a lot of success going around and telling our story to senators and representatives. One of our priorities for this legislative session is Senate Bill 254, which is a biofuels tax incentive to upgrade equipment infrastructure at fuel retail stations to allow more Unleaded 88 and biodiesel. That bill has moved through the Senate and is going over to the House now.” 

Authored by State Sen. Brian Buchanan (R-Lebanon, Ind.), SB254 would encourage higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel through a tax incentive for fuel retailers in the state. Fuel retailers would receive a 5-cent tax credit for each gallon of gasoline blended with more than 10 percent of ethanol. Retailers who sell biodiesel will receive a 5-cent tax credit for fuel with a 5-10 percent blend, a 10-cent tax credit for blended fuel of 10-20 percent, and an 18-cent tax credit for blends of more than 20 percent biodiesel. 

“Our top issue this year is trying to get a biofuels incentive bill passed in order to drive demand for Indiana corn and soybeans,” said Cambridge City, Ind., farmer Mark Wenning, a member of ISA’s M&P Committee. “Most of our lawmakers aren’t farmers, so they aren’t always aware of the issues happening on the farm. It’s important for us to pass on what we’re seeing so that they can make the best decisions for the state and, hopefully, for farmers.” 

According to ISDA, agriculture adds an estimated $31.2 billion to the state’s economy. Indiana’s top two ag commodities are its soybean and corn crops. Ethanol and biodiesel are two leading products derived from those crops. Indiana is the sixth-largest biodiesel-producing state with more than 289 million pounds of soybean oil grown annually going to biodiesel production. 

Indiana is the fifth-largest producer of U.S. ethanol – generating more than 1.4 billion gallons per year. The Hoosier State produces nearly 8 percent of the total U.S. ethanol output. There are 15 biorefineries in the state. They consume about 43 percent of Indiana’s total corn crop – more than 450 million bushels. A blend of 15 percent corn ethanol with 85 percent petroleum gasoline, also known as Unleaded 88, cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 455,000 metric tons each year. 

Another bill being tracked by M&P and ICGA is SB461, which was offered by State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenberg, Ind.), who is the Senate Ag Committee’s chair. This proposal creates a process to help the director of the Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency define how many licenses a grain buyer needs and the parameters for revoking a license. This bill is designed to protect corn and soybean farmers from faulty agreements. 

“It’s important to participate in these conversations as farmers and members,” said Boggstown, Ind., farmer Chris Eck, a member of ISA’s M&P Committee. “There are a lot of bills that are passed that may inadvertently affect our farms. If we’re not involved, then we could be left out and miss out in having a voice on legislation.” 

Here is more proposed legislation drawing attention from ICGA and M&P: 

• SB28 Ground Water Emergencies would provide protections for agricultural water wells. 

• HB1192 Farmland Assessment would offer tax relief for ag land. 

• SB7 Agricultural Land Assessment would bring tax relief for ag land. 

• HB1219 Taxation of Grain Processing Equipment would change the tax code. 

• HB1234 Conservation of Agricultural Land would protect farming in the state. 

ICGA and M&P also touted pro-livestock policies because Indiana’s livestock industry is a large and reliable customer for the state’s corn and soybean growers. “We often say the best way to use corn and soybeans is to make bacon,” said Steve Howell, senior director of industry affairs for ICGA and ISA. “Indiana’s livestock and poultry farmers are important customers for our corn and soybean growers. We grow the feed for the pork, beef, dairy and poultry producers. By featuring these products at our Brunch, we are showing Indiana legislators how interconnected agriculture is in our state. They can see that we are coming to them with a unified voice.”

All of the breakfast foods served at the event were connected to Indiana agriculture. The menu featured several varieties of pork bacon – all from Indiana Kitchen, also known as Indiana Packers. This year’s bacon list included pork bacon, candied bacon, applewood smoked bacon and bacon with cracked pepper and fresh rosemary. The menu also featured beef bacon and turkey bacon. In addition, the Perdue poultry company provided turkey sausage links, and Maple Leaf Farms donated duck sausage. Milk was provided by Prairie Farms in partnership with American Dairy Association Indiana. Other breakfast items included egg bake with bacon, vegetable egg bake, sweet corn casserole with duck sausage and maple syrup, plus orange juice and a coffee station. The breakfast was sponsored by the United Soybean Board. 

Other Bacon Bar and Brunch sponsors include Farm Credit Mid-America, Corteva Agriscience, Indiana Pork, Indiana Beef Cattle Association, Indiana Dairy Producers, Indiana State Poultry Association, Indiana Ethanol Producers Association, Indiana Farm Bureau and the Bose Public Affairs Group. 

Most of these bills are still in the committee phase. This year’s General Assembly will wrap up its legislative work in April. Click here to follow legislation during this session. 

ICGA and M&P rely on event sponsorship and membership dollars to advocate on behalf of Hoosier farmers. Anyone interested in joining these policy organizations should contact Khyla Goodman, Industry Affairs Outreach Manager for M&P and ICGA, at 317-614-0377 or email kgoodman@indianasoybean.com.

Media inquiries can be made to Dave Blower Jr. at 317-644-0980 or dblower@indianasoybean.com.

About Indiana Soybean Alliance Membership and Policy Committee: The ISA Membership and Policy Committee works to enhance the viability of Indiana soybean farmers through the advocacy and promotion of state and federal policies. ISA Membership and Policy Committee is led by members of the Indiana Soybean Alliance farmer board who are charged with directing advocacy efforts on behalf of approximately 600 dues-paying members.

About Indiana Corn Growers Association: The Indiana Corn Growers Association works with state and federal governments to develop and promote sound policies that benefit Indiana corn farmers. The ICGA consists of nine farmer-directors who provide leadership to the organization on behalf of more than 700 members statewide.

This communication was NOT funded with Indiana corn checkoff dollars.