By State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper)
As a fifth-generation Hoosier farmer, I know how important agriculture is here in Indiana.
Indiana is the seventh largest agricultural exporter in the nation, and the industry contributes more than $35 billion each year to our state's economy.
Recently, the Indiana Senate approved legislation that would create a state soybean development program and a pork marketing development program if the current federal programs were to be discontinued.
The federal programs promote and help expand the soybean and pork markets across the country, and Senate Bill 55 would ensure Indiana's industries have what they need to continue to grow and prosper.
Currently, Indiana is the fourth-ranked producer of soybeans in the nation. In 2023, we exported more than $2.1 billion in soybeans, and that same year we exported more than $440 million in pork.
While we do not anticipate the federal programs to be discontinued, many other states have adopted similar legislation to create programs in the unlikely event the federal programs are ended. Senate Bill 55 would simply bring Indiana up to date with these other states.
The bill passed the Senate with widespread bipartisan support and now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
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.
