INFB sets policy positions during delegate session

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INFB sets policy positions during delegate session

Indiana Farm Bureau member delegates set policy positions that will guide the organization in 2022.

INFB President Randy Kron says policy starts at the county level.

“Delegates from all 92 counties across the state came together to have a discussion and set policy for this next year and legislative session,” he says. “… Ninety-two discussions happened all over the state and then that led to recommendations that came before the resolutions committee and then was presented to our delegates and our delegates refined it a little more and had discussions (on Saturday). The strength of Indiana Farm Bureau comes from our policy being grassroots-driven. That’s how we know what our members want and what’s important to them.”

He tells Brownfield the grassroots effort helps ensure the organization addresses member policy concerns.

“I’m confident, then, when we’re lobbying at the statehouse, we are truly representing Indiana agriculture because it’s what our members have told us,” he says.  

Broadband was a hot topic again this year. The Indiana General Assembly approved $250 million in broadband expansion this year and INFB has a broadband speed test to help determine underserved areas.  

“We want to make sure our members across the state are doing the speed test that we have at www.infb.org/speedtest,” he says. “We have the money, what we need now is for members, or any individual willing, to do the speed test to know where the problems areas are across the state so that money goes to where it is most needed.”

Andy Tauer, executive director of public policy, says carbon markets continue to be of interest.

“Our members want to see those carbon credit programs be voluntary and be more on a federal level, not a patchwork of 50 states with different programs,” Tauer says. “We also had a great deal of conversation around early adopters. Indiana has been really focused on cover crops and conservation for quite awhile and so as these programs develop let’s make sure our members that have been early adopters have an opportunity to participate in these programs as well.”

Kron says members also discussed wind and solar energy and want to maintain local control over their siting.

“They think the best decisions can be made at the local level about where wind and solar need to go within the county,” he says.

Delegates voted on policy Saturday during a virtual meeting. INFB’s top policy priorities for 2022 will be determined later this year.

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