Shop Talk meetings offer opportunity to talk ag policy with elected officials

By Emily McNiff

The Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership and Policy Committee (M&P) and the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) will host Shop Talks throughout Indiana this August. These events are hosted on rural farms and attended by farmers and agribusiness professionals.

Shop Talks are organized to bring together state and federal lawmakers with farmers to discuss policy issues like the farm bill, trade, infrastructure, biofuels and more. The meetings are an opportunity to bring together neighbors and local industry partners to learn more about the state and federal policies that impact growers’ operations and rural communities.

ICGA and M&P directors and staff address ag policy issues at all levels of government by making trips to Washington, D.C., and the Indiana Statehouse to meet with lawmakers and raise awareness of farmer priorities. The summer Shop Talk series allows for legislators to meet the farmers in their districts and communities.

Several federal and state leaders are confirmed to be in attendance and speak this year, including Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Don Lamb, U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin (R-Dist. 8) and U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Dist. 2), with several more in discussion for those hosted in open districts.

In addition to policy discussions, the meetings will offer Pesticide Application Recertification Program (PARP) certifications with Purdue University Extension educators to provide credits to farmers. The Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council – the state’s soybean and corn checkoff programs – will sponsor the PARP fees at these meetings.

Recertification programs are at least two hours in length on fertilizer and pesticide-related topics. Each program will also include an approved regulatory topic. A private applicator can attend and receive credit for a recertification program in any county, not just their home county.

The first Shop Talk of the season is at 8 a.m., Wednesday, July 24 at Susan and Mike Brocksmith’s farm in Knox County with special guest ISDA Director Lamb. The policy organizations have scheduled five more Shop Talk meetings, including:

• Aug. 8 – Delaware County
• Aug. 12 – Decatur County with special guest, Congresswoman Erin Houchin
• Aug. 15 – Huntington County
• Aug. 26 – Marshall County with special guest, Congressman Rudy Yakym
• Aug. 27 – Rush County
• Pending – White County
• Pending – Morgan County

Go online to incornandsoy.org/events to register and for updates on the two pending Shop Talks.

ICGA and M&P are membership organizations that serve as the policy voice of Indiana’s farmers. Both M&P and ICGA are led by a board of directors committed to continuing the conversations of farm bill, biofuels, trade and other ag policy priorities with federal and state legislators.

Policy work is not funded by checkoff dollars. Membership dollars empower M&P and ICGA to positively influence policy and regulatory matters impacting the U.S. soybean and corn industry. ICGA and M&P are at the table with lawmakers while you work at your farm. Contact Khyla Goodman by email at kgoodman@indianasoybean.com to learn more about becoming a member.

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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 more than 600 dues-paying members. Learn more at www.incornandsoy.org

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 800 members statewide. Learn more at www.incornandsoy.org

This communication was NOT funded with Indiana corn or soybean checkoff dollars.