FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEHOUSE (Oct. 13, 2026) – State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) participated in the third meeting of the newly created Agricultural Promotion and Regulation Task Force today.
The task force met to review and finalize recommendations and approve the final committee report. The final report includes language recommending that the Indiana State Department of Agriculture be moved to a newly created Secretary of Agriculture who reports directly to the governor.
The task force also recommended increasing funding for the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab, creating a new Local Foods division under the ISDA that would manage the Indiana Grown program, and establishing in statute that the ISDA support, staff and aid the Indiana FFA Association.
"In order to best support our farmers, we need to have a dedicated Secretary of Agriculture who reports to the governor," Leising said. "I am pleased to see this language in the approved committee report, and I will continue working with members of the agricultural community to ensure they are getting the most efficient support possible."
To view study committee agendas and stream hearings online, visit iga.in.gov. To view a list of topics that will be examined by the committees, click here.
State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) attends the third meeting of the Agricultural Promotion and Regulation Task Force on Oct. 13. The task force considered a final committee report and recommended that the Indiana State Department of Agriculture be moved to a newly created Secretary of Agriculture who reports directly to the Governor.
-30-
State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) represents Senate District 42, which includes
Decatur, Fayette, Ripley and Rush counties, and portions of Franklin, Jennings and Shelby counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
Contact: Elijah Roberson, Press Secretary
Elijah.Roberson@iga.in.gov
317-232-9498
