By NANCY VORIS
Indiana Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Building consumer confidence and stemming the rising tide of anti-agricultural activists are the challenges facing the new executive vice president of the Indiana Beef Cattle Association.

Joe Moore was recently named to the position after serving as interim executive since June, when Julia Wickard left the position to serve as FSA state executive director.

Moore recognizes the brewing discontent of activists with animal agriculture, but cites Indiana’s strength with initiatives like Farmers Feed US in educating consumers on humane farming practices. The website, www.farmersfeedUS.org, is the result of state agricultural organizations including the IBCA working together to show several family farms in action.

The website offers videos to “meet the farmer,” recipes, fun farm facts and other consumer information for Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri and Iowa. Another feature of the website is the opportunity to register to win free groceries for a year.

“We’ve just passed 100,000 entries for Indiana,” Moore said, pleased with the number of hits the website has drawn.

The IBCA represents the state beef cattle producers, offering information, education and industry assistance. That representation now includes protecting and defending the beef industry in the state of Indiana, and Moore’s background in marketing and public relations will serve him well in presenting animal agriculture in a positive light.

Moore resides in Fishers with his wife Sharon and daughter, Courtney.

In addition to the naming of a permanent executive, IBCA has announced that Brian Shuter, who has served in a part-time capacity as the producer communications manager, has accepted a full-time position as producer communications and marketing director. Brian has been on staff with IBCA in various capacities since 2001.