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Farm Bureau meeting focuses on ag education and aid for city consumers
 


By ANN HINCH
Associate Editor

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — They may not all be “country,” but the Marion County Farm Bureau’s (FB) volunteer members and board are invested and interested in agriculture in their own way, living in Indiana’s biggest metropolitan area.
Earlier this month, the FB hosted its annual Ag Appreciation Dinner and partner reception at the State Fairgrounds’ Normandy Barn. County FB President Mike Honeycutt said most members and board members are not active farmers but do earn their living in ag-related businesses, and see it as their task to make more Indianapolis-area residents understand and appreciate farming and food.
“Most (city residents) are able to do what we do because of farmers,” he said, explaining they can pursue non-ag careers because of others willing to grow and process food. Americans also don’t have to spend as large a percentage of their household budgets on food, compared to residents of some other countries.
But that doesn’t mean everybody in Indiana can afford to eat equally well – or regularly. In light of the evening’s savory farmhouse dinner with brown-sugar ham, au gratin potatoes, salad, squash and fried apples with sweet potatoes, Honeycutt observed, “Probably half a mile from here, there is a family going hungry, who would love to have the dinner we’re eating.”
So, each year, Marion County FB invests in the community by making grants available to a variety of groups – including, this year, Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana and Second Helpings, which provide food for the hungry. Habitat for Humanity (HFH) is another pet project; this county FB has built the house each year during the last five Indiana State Fairs, and individual members volunteer on other houses on their own throughout the year, sometimes overseas.
This month marks HFH partnering with 500 central Indiana families to build homes during its 27 years, said Ted Mosley, director of development for HFH of Greater Indianapolis. Each house’s completion is marked with a small ceremony welcoming the family moving in.
“I haven’t been to one of these dedications where I haven’t teared up … and Marion County Farm Bureau is a part of that,” he said.
The Indy Riders 4-H Horse and Pony Club was another recipient of FB funding this year. Claudia Worden said the club began six years ago with 25 kids and, as the fastest-growing 4-H in Marion County, now has 72 members (and provides riding for kids without horses too). It features a youth-run board to help these kids learn to speak and work with others in procedure.
With the money, she said the club bought a piece of equipment to drag its arena floor to keep it smooth for horse training and shows, making it much safer for the horses and riders. The club’s youth, she said, “are proud to show at the arena now.”
“Agriculture is not just a rural issue,” noted Honeycutt. “We sometimes get cast in that light.” To that end, he said FB can also be leaders in helping local groups and instructors teach city people about farming and food.
The Beech Grove FFA is perfect for this. Advised by high school agriscience teacher Chris Kaufman, it began in August 2012 with a $5,000 grant from Marion County FB and three ag teachers. Kaufman said the school has since added a fourth, and with 500 enrolled students, this FFA chapter is one of the largest in Indiana.
He said the city chapter sent 14 members to FFA Camp, more than 30 to the recent National FFA Convention and will pay membership fees for 150 students this year. “I’ve said many times over the last few years, 1 percent of the population is involved in production agriculture, and we’re proud to teach the other 99 percent how important they are,” he added.
According to Marion County FB volunteer Tiffany Obrecht, it put more than $80,000 into the community this year to support programs like these. Other recipients included Star FFA, Emma Donnan FFA, Manual FFA, Marion County 4-H Advisory Council, Fall Creek Gardens, Wayne Township Schools, Shepherd Community Center, Marion County Health Department and Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District.
FB members also participate in area education. Anjuli Doyle, co-chair of its Young Farmers & Ranchers committee, said its members 18-35 years of age volunteer in community service, including talking to area children about agriculture. The young farmers also meet every couple of months to learn about legislative policy development and discuss ag issues, and participate in networking events.
“We do try to use the program to grow our future leaders,” she said – and added the program is always seeking more young members to become part of it. To find out how to joint Marion County FB, call 317-692-7658.
Marion County FB also bestowed on State Sen. Jim Merritt (R-District 31) its highest honor, Legislator of the Year, at the Nov. 6 dinner. Merritt was selected based on his record of consistently supporting issues important to the agriculture community, stated the FB.
“Senator Merritt has been a supporter of economic development in our state, and that helps ag,” said Honeycutt. “As an organization, we review voting records that impact agriculture each year. That impact is for both production agriculture and agribusiness support, which is very important here in Marion County.“
“Farming affects everyone,” Merritt told FB, in accepting the award. “We want our farms to be vibrant and our communities to be strong. Rural and urban must work together.”
11/20/2014