By ANDREA MCCANN

Indiana Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A loose-knit network of ag organizations focused on soil health and nutrient management has been stitched up more tightly with the formation of the Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance.

While there’s been a collaborative effort among ag organizations to share information on farm nutrient issues, Justin Schneider, Indiana Farm Bureau (IFB) director of state government relations, said the IANA will formalize and expand upon that.

“We needed something more formal,” he said. “We decided it would be nice to have one person just to think about this.”

He said an IANA executive director should be hired by February to lead the new nonprofit group. Representatives from partner organizations will be elected to form a board of directors, and there will be an executive committee to work closely with the executive director.

IFB and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Indiana took the lead in creating the agreement that formed IANA, while several other partner organizations provided financial support and will participate in the collaboration.

Those are Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Indiana Pork Producers, Indiana State Poultry Assoc., Indiana Dairy Producers, Indiana Beef Cattle Assoc., Inc., Indiana Agribusiness Council, Inc., American Dairy Assoc. of Indiana, Indiana Assoc. of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, The Nature Conservancy in Indiana, Purdue University College of Agriculture and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

“The partners share in the commitment to the success of the IANA,” Schneider said. “Whether it is a financial commitment, dedication of staff or willingness to find new ways to collaborate, there is a clear recognition that we will achieve more through strengthened and coordinated actions.”

One of the main goals outlined in the IANA’s strategy is branded marketing, he said – amplifying the organizations’ messaging by pulling together and expanding distribution of resource guides to retailers and agencies, for use with farmers to better identify and explain conservation practices that would benefit them.

“Our goal is really to meet farmers where they are,” Schneider explained, “and get them thinking about how and when to apply nutrients.”

There is no one-size-fits-all program that works for every operation, and the IANA aims to make it easier for individual farmers to learn about available conservation programs and research so they can determine the best management practices for their operation.

“What works here doesn’t work there,” Schneider pointed out. “There are a lot of good research projects out there farmers can use. IANA is about showing them how they can implement those.”

Recently retired Indiana State Conservationist Jane Hardisty announced IANA’s formation at the IFB State Convention in December. In her address, she pointed out the great strides already made to improve soil health in the Hoosier State – such as increased use of cover crops and conservation tillage – but said a more coordinated effort is needed.

She explained the IANA was created to identify ways its partners can work together to enhance their programs and further the shared goal of improving nutrient use efficiency in agricultural areas. The ultimate goal is to help farmers make economically viable and environmentally sustainable decisions while enhancing water quality.

“We’re going to provide information and tools to our farmers that will help address water quality concerns,” Hardisty said. “We’re going to make sure we have more advising and training to help with that effort.”