By State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper)
It’s fall in Indiana – and that means Hoosier farmers have been hard at work harvesting thousands of acres of corn, soybeans and other crops. There are approximately 54,000 farming operations in Indiana, and 94% of them are still family-owned. I think that’s a distinction we should be proud of.
As a fifth-generation family farmer and state senator representing a largely rural district, I know how hard Indiana farmers work every day to support our state economy and help feed not only Americans, but people around the world. During my tenure in the legislature, I have worked diligently with my colleagues on policies that support and promote Indiana’s agriculture industry, and I will continue to do so. Indiana is the seventh-largest exporter of agricultural commodities in the country, contributing $35 billion annually to our state’s economy. Our agriculture industry and its success is crucial to our state’s economy.
Most Hoosiers probably think of only corn and soybeans as important cash crops, but Indiana also ranks high on the list of other products as well. In fact, as you gather with your friends and family to carve pumpkins for Halloween, you probably didn’t know Indiana is the second-largest producer of pumpkins in the country - and we’re the No. 1 producer of the popcorn you enjoy with that warm cup of apple cider on a chilly fall evening.
So, the next time you’re traveling down a country road and encounter slow-moving farm machinery, remember how hard these men and women are working to help feed you and your family and contribute to this state we’re all so proud to call home.
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.
