At the annual Bacon Bar and Brunch legislative breakfast in the Indiana Statehouse, farmer leaders and representatives from the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the
Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership and Policy Committee (M&P) engaged in discussions with state lawmakers. Topics included potential legislation on biofuel tax credits, restrictions on foreign farmland ownership, and Indiana’s drainage handbook updates. The event aimed to promote pro-livestock policies, emphasizing the significance of Indiana’s livestock industry as a customer for corn and soybean growers.
The breakfast menu featured items connected to Indiana agriculture, and discussions covered various farm issues with legislators. One key focus for 2024 is the proposed legislation, HB1315, which supports tax credits for the sale and blending of biofuels. The ICGA and M&P actively support this bill, recognizing its potential benefits for farmers and rural communities. The event also highlights Indiana’s significant contributions to biofuel production, emphasizing ethanol and biodiesel’s economic and environmental advantages. The legislative session is expected to conclude in mid-March.
‘Authored by State Rep. Craig Snow (R-Warsaw), HB1315 received a hearing last week in the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. Both Stoller and Cherry were on hand to testify in support of the bill. The two leaders explained this bill would bring many benefits to farmers and rural communities. Since HB1315 would have an impact on the state budget, it only received a hearing. Budget items will be considered next year when the General Assembly develops the biennium budget for 2025-26. “Many of the benefits of biofuels, and the impact this market has on corn and soybean farmers, was presented to the committee,” said Steve Howell, senior director of industry affairs for M&P and ICGA. “The hearing is a positive step to build more markets for corn and soybeans here in Indiana, and we will continue to work with legislators over the summer months to provide information on this important market.”‘
