ICGA, ISA M&P host successful Coffee Shop Talk meetings

The Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) Membership and Policy (M&P) Committee and the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) hosted four Coffee Shop Talks across the state of Indiana this season. The policy organizations worked with local farmers and agribusinesses to facilitate small group meetings with federal legislators to offer an opportunity for farmers to have an open discussion regarding ag policy issues.

The first Coffee Shop Talk was held on Friday, Feb. 2 in Valparaiso. Farmers and representatives from county soil and water conservation districts and land trust organizations joined in conversations with Congressman Frank Mrvan regarding infrastructure, exports, and other trade topics. An important topic to farmers in this region of Indiana is accessibility and distance to grain elevators. Farmer Leader and ICGA Director Tom Murphy, shared that he transports his commodities 85 miles one-way to Warsaw, which may pose a risk to his products. He expressed a need to the Congressman for more options in the area for his grain.

Another Coffee Shop Talk was held on Friday, Feb. 9 at Next Generation Inc. in Greensburg. Around 14 farmers gathered at the agricultural service to talk about the 2024 Farm Bill, biofuels, and trade with Congresswoman Erin Houchin. Mike Koehne, Decatur County farmer leader and ISA director, informed the Congresswoman that while creating opportunities to export products through inland waterways remains a priority, it is also important to get products like fertilizer in for growers. Rep. Houchin expressed support for investing back into Indiana’s infrastructure.

Over 25 farmers and agriculture business professionals shared refreshments and ag policy discussions with Senator Mike Braun at Top Crop Alliance, a Pioneer dealership, on Feb. 21 in Flat Rock. The Senator discussed many agriculture issues with attendees, including the farm bill, the future of biofuels, EPA’S Draft Herbicide Strategy, and foreign trade. Senator Braun also shared his priorities, including access to broadband, and compared it in importance for electrification in rural areas in the last century. He also provided more insight on his bill regarding the foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land – AFIDA Improvements Act of 2024. ISA Policy Committee and ICGA express appreciation to Pioneer and First Farmers Bank & Trust for sponsoring the event.

The final Coffee Shop Talk sponsored by First Farmers Bank & Trust took place on March 25 with Congressman Greg Pence at the Just Peachy Café in Shelbyville. Over 15 farmers and agriculture community partners met to discuss issues affecting corn and soybean growers, as well as other policies that impact Hoosiers. Congressman Pence focused on two main policy issues – electrification in the transportation industry and the next farm bill. He expressed support for liquid fuels, as well as emphasized that Indiana is producing clean fuel that is positively serving the environment and Indiana’s economy and local farmers. In addition to farm bill and biofuels, Congressman Pence spoke on his retirement from Congress after this term and his outlook on the 2024 election.

The ISA M&P Committee and ICGA also look forward to hosting the summer Shop Talk series in July and August at Hoosier farms to continue these important conversations on state and federal issues affecting Indiana growers. Contact Emily McNiff at emcniff@indianasoybean to learn more.

Become a member today to receive invitations to membership events, like Shop Talks, collectively advocate for better farm policy with farmers across the state, and build trusted relationships with state, national, and international policymakers and opinion leaders. If you have any membership questions, contact Khyla Goodman at 317-677-3137 or kgoodman@indianasoybean.com.