INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) has announced a strategic plan to increase dairy business expansion, development and attraction to the state.

The Jan. 28 announcement came as an update to the 2015 Indiana dairy strategic plan. Lt. Gov. and Indiana Ag Secretary Suzanne Crouch, ISDA Director Bruce Kettler, the Indiana Dairy Strategy steering committee members, advisory members and other agriculture industry leaders were present for the press conference announcing the plan.

“It’s an exciting time for agriculture in our state after all you have all been through in 2020,” Crouch said. “I think it says a lot to be able to introduce this new strategy and what it means for the industry that we have.”

At its heart, the plan focuses on bringing more dairy processing facilities to the state in order to utilize the surplus of milk Indiana produces each day –approximately 3.5 million pounds according to the ISDA.

“One of the goals of this strategy was to make sure we found good information,” Crouch said. “Like everything in the area of ag – and dairy is certainly up front – there is constant change and new data that need to be brought forth if we’re going to have a new strategy that works and it is certainly our expectation that we are going to be able to use this strategy to move forward and to grow and expand the dairy industry in the state of Indiana.”

Gathering information to move forward with the best plan was a big part of the effort, and one key conclusion that came from this research was that dairy farms are and have been making strides to become more and more sustainable.

“Dairy farms in Indiana have pledged to further decrease their carbon footprint, and to go carbon neutral in 2050,” said Jenni Browning, CEO of the American Dairy Association. “A glass of milk today has 2/3 less of a carbon footprint today than it did 70 years ago. And yet – as a dietician – I find it has the same essential nutrients.”

The plan indicates that an important advantage Indiana has in growing its dairy sector is its critical infrastructure, being at a geographical crossroads in the country, and having a positive regulatory and tax environment for producers and processors. This is attractive to dairy processors who are looking to settle down.

“I look forward to increasing our dairy processing and growing our dairy business here in the state of Indiana,” Kettler said. “We want the world to know that we are open for dairy business.”

Longtime dairy producer and executive director of the Indiana Dairy Producers group, Doug Leman, worked alongside ISDA to help develop the updated dairy strategy.

“We’re so excited, we’re thankful, and we are looking forward to working further with the State Department of Ag and the opportunities for us personally to be involved,” Leman said. “Part of that is helping to direct the in-state research, what is needed, and then working more closely with our producers and our processers as a team, bringing them into Indiana.”

Victoria Herring, ISDA’s business development director, said the new plan shows that Indiana is positioned for further success in the industry.

“Our farmers are doing what it takes to provide Hoosiers fresh, quality milk products, and our infrastructure and processors are in the ideal location to provide products across the state including ice cream, coffee creamer, cheese and butter,” Herring said. “Winners drink milk, and dairy business wins in Indiana.”