By DAVE BLOWER JR.
Farm World Editor

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Several food  and farm-related companies have joined forces with Habitat for Humanity to construct the charity’s first “Ag House.” And Indiana State Fair visitors can watch the progress.

The home is being constructed around-the-clock at the Indiana State Fairgrounds during the 17-day run of the fair, which ends Aug. 22. When finished, the home will be moved to its permanent location.

Hoosier ag leaders took part in raising an interior wall of the house during the fair’s opening day last week.

“I understand that it normally takes six weeks to build one of these homes, I think it shows the spirit of cooperation in Indiana agriculture that we’re going to be able to build this house in only 17 days,” said Jay Akridge, dean of Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, prior to wielding a hammer.

Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and State Fair Executive Director Cindy Hoye also worked on the house that will eventually belong to Tamika Allen.

This is the first Habitat home built at the state fair, and Indiana’s fair is only the second nationally to attempt the feat.

Twenty-two Indiana ag businesses and related organizations have united to build the five-bedroom “Ag House” under the theme of Growing Food, Building Family Dreams.

“Sub-standard housing is an issue in all Hoosier cities,” reported Skillman.

“Constructing this Habitat home during the State Fair with agriculture-related companies as sponsors shows they recognize the problem and have a commitment to solving it.”

Akridge added that agriculture has always been about improving people’s lives. “We in Purdue Agricul-ture through our Extension presence across the state have a long history of helping promote vibrant, healthier communities,” Akridge said. “We also educate the next generation of agricultural industry leaders, ready to tackle global challenges like sustainability, the environment and how to feed and power our planet.”

Dow AgroSciences and Kroger are the primary financial sponsors of the Indiana State Fair Habitat home. Both companies have sponsored many Habitat For Humanity homes in the past.

Additional financial sponsors include Beck’s Hybrids and Cargill. The remaining financial and in-kind sponsors are Reynolds Farm Equipment, the Indiana State Fair, King Park Area Development Corp., CountryMark, Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Assoc., the Indiana Soybean Alliance, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and the Marion County Farm Bureau. In-kind services are being provided by: Achieva, Inc., Baxter Communications and Country 97.1 HANK-FM, Hamilton Exhibits, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana Pork, MainGate, Purdue University, The National FFA Organization and Red Line Graphics.

This “Ag House” will use many sustainable materials, including wood siding and others derived from agricultural products. The carpet to be installed in the home is made from corn sugar.

Thirty-seven percent of the carpet is made of renewably sourced ingredients that replace petroleum-based-products.

The project will require approximately 350 volunteers to meet the demanding construction schedule, and many of those volunteers will come from the 22 sponsoring companies.

The new homeowner, Tamika Allen, and her five children will receive the keys to the home when construction is completed Aug. 19. However, she will have to wait until September to actually move in, when the home is moved to its permanent site at 2062 Bellefontaine St., in Indianapolis. The exact date for the move has not been determined.

“This will be a ‘hand up’ – not a ‘hand out’ for her,” said Dean Illingworth, executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis.

Allen will complete budget education classes, as well as 450 hours of sweat equity, which means she will actively work building this home and others.  She will also make monthly payments on a no-interest, no-profit mortgage.

“This house is a dream come true for me and my family,” Allen said. “Without the help of Habitat and these sponsors, I don’t think I would ever have been able to afford my own home.”

Illingworth said the “Ag Home” will be visible to the fair visitors this year. Once construction is finished, fair visitors will be able to tour the home.