INFB recognizes county Farm Bureaus for impact on local communities in 2024

FRENCH LICK, Ind. — During a special reception for county leaders at the 2024 Indiana Farm Bureau State Convention, the organization recognized the achievements of county Farm Bureaus in 2024.

This year, four counties earned a County Activities of Excellence award, which is designed to celebrate innovative, action-oriented programs developed by county Farm Bureaus.

The CAE awards may be granted in one of four categories focused on the priority issues of the organization’s strategic plan: growing engagement, innovating and growing, advocating, and adding value by sharing knowledge.

The top county in each category received a cash award of $2,000 to be applied toward improving a program in that county, and they were eligible to send two members each to INFB’s annual state convention with expenses paid.

“At INFB, the term ‘grassroots’ means something. We couldn’t be successful without the active participation from members in all 92 counties,” said Randy Kron, INFB president.

“I’m so grateful our county leaders are constantly identifying new opportunities to engage members in their communities, as that’s where really important work is being done.”

The winners are:

• Grant County Farm Bureau — Advocating: The Grant County Farm Bureau board made it a goal this past year to be more involved in advocating for agriculture at the local level. They executed that goal by hosting a “Meet the Candidate” event before the primary election at a local farm shop and inviting candidates for county commissioner and county council to participate. The conversations with the nine candidates in attendance helped their membership become more informed voters.

• Steuben County Farm Bureau — Innovating and Growing: Steuben County Farm Bureau hosted a “farmers share breakfast” during the farmers market to show the value of the food dollar to farmers market shoppers. After promoting the event on social media and a local radio program where they highlighted the impact that agriculture has on their county, volunteers served more than 200 people at their breakfast. They also gathered donations from attendees that they later gave to a local food pantry.

• Scott County Farm Bureau — Adding Value by Sharing Knowledge: Scott County Farm Bureau facilitated an ag tour for individuals to learn more about agriculture commodities in the county and the role it plays in their everyday lives. Attendees could participate for free, with lunch provided, and were transported via tour bus to visit four unique farms and learn about the diversity of agriculture in their area.

• Howard County Farm Bureau — Growing Engagement: Howard County Farm Bureau hosted a family-oriented, joint annual meeting with Howard County Purdue Extension that FFA members helped with by volunteering. The event brought together three groups from within the community where people who are passionate about agriculture could share ideas, network and learn about what others were doing. Howard County Farm Bureau saw double the attendance to their annual meeting from previous years, which included members who hadn’t engaged in activities before and nonmembers who were attending their first Farm Bureau event.

These awards and honors are based on the Indiana Farm Bureau membership year, which runs from October through September each year.