By MEGGIE. I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — During a Women in Ag luncheon on Nov. 12, Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman reassured the group that while the state of the nation may be under economic distress, Indiana state government is both fiscally and economically sound.

“There are many positive signs in the economy, and I believe we are starting to turn the corner,” said Skillman. “We will capitalize on our natural strengths, and there are none greater than agriculture.”
Skillman explained that since the creation of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture in 2005, nearly 6,500 new jobs have been created in the agriculture industry, resulting in $5 billion in private capital investment. “Agriculture has always been front and center in propelling economic growth in Indiana,” she added.

Skillman cited her recent international trade mission to China in June as another win for Indiana agriculture. The China trade mission is the fourth mission trip Skillman has made on behalf of agriculture. “This is quite possibly the most productive trade mission I’ve made, with nearly nine projects as a direct result and several on-the-spot deals,” she said. “Nearly every sector traveling with me saw opportunities for growth in China. And all of this growth in agriculture means more jobs for Hoosiers.”

Freshmen Indiana legislators
Another major event in the past several weeks is no doubt the Nov. 2 election results, according to Skillman.

“With the upcoming session of the general assembly in the House and Senate, we have a record number of freshmen members,” she said. “As a tradition, I always speak to the freshmen members, and I can happily report that there are many champions of agriculture joining the ranks of House and Senate members in the Indiana General Assembly.”

In closing, Skillman said the “future is bright for 2011” and that the upcoming holiday is one of the “greatest times of the year to showcase the great agriculture bounty in Indiana.”

The luncheon, hosted by CountryMark Cooperative in Indianapolis, Ind. is a conglomeration of women in both the private and non-profit sectors of the agriculture industry. Each quarter, a member of the group offers to host and furnish the meal for the luncheon. Skillman is invited to every luncheon and social event hosted by the Women in Agriculture group, although she isn’t always able to attend.

“There are a lot of great women who work in the agriculture industry,” said Raylee Honeycutt, co-coordinator of the luncheon and marketing coordinator for CountryMark. “This is an opportunity to get them in the same room, network and together help move forward the agriculture industry.”