By State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper)
Here in Indiana, 94% of farms are family-owned and operated.
Each family farm in Indiana is unique, and I believe allowing farms to operate without large government bureaucracies benefits these families, our communities and the entire state.
The agriculture industry contributes more than $35 billion to our state's economy and helps provide the food and raw materials our nation needs to prosper.
That's why I supported House Enrolled Act 1424 this year to reduce government red tape by eliminating state and local health departments' ability to impose rules, regulations or licensing requirements on small farms or homestead vendors that are not required under federal law.
This new law also allows these small vendors to sell meat products raised, produced and labeled on their property.
In recent years, there has been a push to get more people to eat locally grown food, which is also often healthier.
I believe eliminating these regulations will help lower the cost to produce these products, making them more affordable for Hoosiers across the state.
Families throughout Indiana work hard every day to keep their farms operating, and I encourage you to support them by visiting your local farmers markets or purchasing locally grown products directly from the farm.
For more information about products grown in Indiana, visit IndianaGrown.org.
As always, constituents can reach out to me with any questions or concerns by email at s48@iga.in.gov or by phone at 1-800-382-9467.
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State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48,
which includes Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
