Lamb: rural economic development creates opportunities for Indiana agriculture 

By Don Lamb, Director, Indiana State Department of Agriculture 

When you’re a farmer and you hear the words, “economic development,” it tends to bring mixed reactions. To those of us that love the land, it can seem like a threat to our very livelihood. Rural economic development though, is something we all need to take seriously. 

While it can feel like a threat, it can also be the key to that same livelihood we want to protect. That’s why when Gov. Mike Braun asked me if I would be part of the Indiana Economic Development Board, I didn’t have to think long – absolutely. Connecting agriculture to economic development in Indiana has been a constant priority of our State Department of Agriculture. 

In the previous administration, the IEDC was focused on incentivizing new business to come to our state. This is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, Sustainea is one such company that will add value to corn products that are processed at Primient in Lafayette. This may add 42,000 bushels of corn demand per day, and it wouldn’t have happened without a strong pitch from the IEDC. 

Agricultural economic development does not always need to be hundreds of millions of capital expenditure, or hundreds of new jobs to make a huge difference in a rural community. Gov. Braun has a different focus and has committed to see economic development reach the four corners of the state and everywhere in between. 

One pillar of his plan is to help the businesses that are already in Indiana to continue to succeed. This is good for Indiana agriculture. 

Why is it important for agriculture to have a seat at the table of economic development? Our rural economy will impact whether our children and grandchildren have opportunities to spend their lives where they grew up. The rural economy will dictate what our healthcare and childcare systems look like. 

The rural economy will determine the quality of life that is available because there is a vibrant community with social and recreational opportunities. Agriculture has always been the backbone of the Indiana economy. As technology advances, there will be more opportunities for young people to get excited about producing the next generation of food products. 

Agricultural economic development will be fueled by entrepreneurship, and the drivers of this economy need a clear path to success. The tools that have been used to bring new manufacturing business to Indiana can be used to provide opportunities for agriculture and rural communities. 

I love rural Indiana. There is no better place to raise a family. That’s why we can’t afford to look at economic development only as a threat to our livelihood. Preserving our land and our agricultural heritage can go hand in hand with economic development. 

Local control and good planning can provide a foundation for the next generation, both on and off the farm. There will be opportunities to bring production, processing, or packaging of a certain farm product to a certain region of the state. 

My opinion? Stay engaged with local officials. Stay engaged with local economic development teams. Your communities are better places to live because of the farmers and farm families that live there.