By Emma Hopkins-O’Brien
Scott Smith may come to the end of his term serving as the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) president, but he said he is far from ending his involvement with the organization and the leadership experience it brings him.
“First and foremost, it was an honor to serve as president for ICGA,” Smith said. “Meeting and engaging with congressional leaders in Washington D.C., supporting policies that are good for Indiana farms and traveling abroad to promote Indiana corn and soybeans were some of the highlights.”
Scott and his wife, Terri, own and operate Triple S Smith Farms, Inc. Their farm is located in Windfall, Ind., where they raise corn for ethanol, seed beans for Beck’s Hybrids, and processing tomatoes for Red Gold in the counties of Tipton, Howard and Madison.
The Smiths have always worked alongside immediate family and extended family for almost 50 years. “Faith, Family and Farm” – in that order, is how we operate our lives and business,” he said.
Scott met his sweetheart and wife of 48 years, Terri, at Tri-Central High School. Later, they attended Purdue University, and began their marriage and farming career in 1975.
Smith is a third generational family farm, where they raised three children, Shanna, Shanie and Shawn. The ‘Triple’ in their farm name represents the farm’s third generation as well as their three children, who all have names beginning with ‘S.’
Smith said he enjoys all aspects of farming and views it as a lifestyle as well as a profession. He especially loves its cyclical nature which allows for him to learn something new each season, year after year.
“I like the different seasons and what they represent,” Smith said. He enjoys the busy time of planting in the spring, taking care of the crops during the summer, harvesting the crops in the fall, and in winter carefully planning and preparing for another year.
“Through all of the busy times, it is important to spend quality time with family,” Smith said.
Policy is part of the job
In order to turn the wheel of the farming cycle smoothly, Smith believes that farmers need to work together on elements of the job such as policy, which is why he cares greatly for ICGA and affiliated organizations.
“I learned a lot more about policy, from being a board member of IGCA’s 5th District, and serving as president,” Smith said. “I would encourage others to become a member of ICGA, and to get involved. These policies have a big part in your business.”
Smith equates education and involvement in the industry to the saying “if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” He hopes the organization continues to support good policies, developing new uses for corn and expanding export markets.
One of his greatest passions involving policy is ethanol and support for year-round E15, which is a blend of 15 percent ethanol with 85 percent petroleum. Situated between two ethanol plants, the corn from his farm all goes into ethanol production. He believes such goals are on the table from the political clout ICGA carries when farmers work together.
“Becoming a member of ICGA is the first step in supporting and understanding what great work this organization does for Indiana farmers,” he said. “We are Indiana corn growers working together with ICGA leadership supporting good policies that are beneficial for the agricultural industry.”
Smith has always found farm policy interesting, which is why he volunteered for ICGA. He finds value in communicating with state and federal members of government about the policies that impact family farms.
“I was grateful for the opportunity to serve as president and also to continue serving as a board member,” he said.
Making it work
Terri and Scott’s best crop are their three children. There have been times where they have faced personal situations that are insurmountable – especially the loss of their two daughters. During these difficult times, they found strength through their faith in God. The farm continued to operate with the help of family and friends.
Their son, Shawn, works as Creative Lead in the Marketing Department for Beck’s Hybrids. Life has come full circle with a beautiful daughter-in-law, Julie, and their 14-year-old grandson, A.J. He enjoys spending time at the farm. They believe the farm is a good place for their family to do what they want to do in life.
Smith said, “ICGA and other affiliated organizations are working together supporting Indiana farmers. We feed and fuel the world.”
