Gov. Holcomb: Sowing the seeds for sustainable future of Indiana 

By Gov. Eric J. Holcomb 

Greetings to my fellow Hoosiers. As I reflect on my time as your governor, nothing has been more reliable or more constant than the drive and commitment of our local Hoosier farmers. 

Agriculture has always been the lifeblood of our Hoosier economy, with commodity agricultural production worth more than $18 billion right now. It’s not lost on me the hard work it takes to feed the world, and I thank each and every one of you for it. 

I had the pleasure of meeting with your own Courtney Kingery recently, who emphasized how Hoosier-grown commodities and livestock continue to make an immense impact on a global scale. During my international travels where we work to attract new investments to Indiana, I am always thrilled to share the story of our farmers who make it all happen and look for new opportunities to get our Hoosier products out there. 

Back here on the home front, I’ve been thankful for the knowledge and expertise of Don Lamb, our Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director. As a farmer himself, Don provides invaluable input and is our boots on the ground here in Indianapolis as we work together to better the economic outlook for farmers in every corner of our state. 

There is no question that a lot has changed in Indiana through the years, but in true Hoosier fashion we keep our nose to the grindstone to keep up with our ever-changing world, especially in regard to sustainability. Progress in sustainability and our economy go hand in glove, and nowhere is that more evident than the ag sector as farmers adapt to the needs of tomorrow. 

It’s no secret that farmers are some of the most environmentally friendly business owners in our state. You all work hard to keep your land productive and prosperous, so your business can continue to grow. 

At the state level we will continue to support farmers through initiatives like Clean Water Indiana that supports local efforts to improve soil structure and water quality. As sustainability and conservation continue to be at the forefront of economic and business production, your efforts are a strong selling point that drive businesses to plant their roots in the Hoosier state. 

Conservation is crucial to economic development. People want to be around beautiful landscapes and have access to clean water, healthy air and GREAT food! In Indiana, we’re laser focused on creating a sustainable future, both for our economy, and for our planet. 

You can count on me to put the pedal to the medal until the checkered flag waves, advocating and uplifting our Hoosier farmers, preserving our natural resources, and together, trailblazing towards a sustainable future for generations to come.