Looking forward to representing Hoosier farmers as we tackle potential legislation 

By Brian Warpup, ISA Membership and Policy Committee Chair 

Welcome to 2025! As with any January, it is always good to turn the page and start fresh with a new planning year. This year will be my first year serving as the Membership and Policy Committee chair. I have been engaged in politics through most of my adult life, and this is truly an honor to serve my fellow Hoosier farmers in this capacity. 

The first job I had out of college was for a company in Indianapolis. I would make the commute just like everyone else trekking around the overcrowded I-69 to I-465 to US 52. Many times, when I made the journey, I would think about my life growing up and living in rural Indiana and how being in the quiet country instead loud Indianapolis wasn’t so bad. 

That lasted for five years. With our farm’s aging neighbors, a slow farm economy, and dad needing help, I came back to the family farm. I still travel frequently to the “city” and on business, but now it’s not as grinding. Now I know where my heart truly calls home. 

I currently produce corn, soybeans and wheat in Huntington and Wells counties, and it has been a special time to raise my family on the farm. Since committing full-time to the family farm for nearly 25 years, I’ve tried to continually connect with my community. 

I have served on several local boards and currently I am in my first term on the Huntington County Council. Overseeing budgets and concerns at a local level can be difficult, but it’s always rewarding to know that you can help improve your community. 

At the state level, I feel that helping to influence policy for the Indiana farmer is vital for our entire community of agriculture moving forward. Sometimes it may feel that many non-agricultural decision-makers aren’t educated enough on how we, as farmers, maintain our land, sell our crops or make day-to-day decisions. It is important to keep in contact and help those who may not understand the importance of rural Indiana on bills and potential new laws that my drastically affect how we farm. 

There will be much discussion in upcoming legislative sessions at the state and federal level that could influence our farm community. From biofuels to herbicide regulation, to finally addressing a much-needed farm bill, there will be much attention on how we are influenced by our elected officials. 

There is very little, though, that we do alone. I know you’ve heard this before, but the more voices we have then the more state and federal lawmakers will listen to us. 

Please consider becoming a paid member of the Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership and Policy Committee. I can guarantee that other farmers like me – and like you – will be advocating for Indiana agriculture all year. To become a member, send an email to ISA Industry Affairs Outreach Manager Khyla Goodman at kgoodman@indianasoybean.com. 

As we go through this year, we will cover some of the specific issues that we believe Indiana farmers should watch. Until then, stay warm and enjoy the season.