FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Paige Gehlhausen, Press Secretary
Paige.Gehlhausen@iga.in.gov
317-232-9425
Zay: Indiana ranked as a top agricultural state
STATEHOUSE (Feb. 22, 2024) — Indiana again ranks as one of the nation's top agricultural states, said State Sen. Andy Zay (R-Huntington).
The state's agricultural product is valued at more than $18 billion, according to recently released agricultural census data from the United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.
"Agriculture is critical in supporting and stimulating our state's economy as rural Indiana stands at the forefront of safeguarding Hoosier values," Zay said. "Farmers have represented the core of Hoosier excellence and they continue to do so by pioneering agricultural exceptionalism."
Agriculture production in Indiana has grown 62% over the last five years, according to a release from the Indiana Department of Agriculture (IDOA).
Indiana is the country's top producer of popcorn, gourds and duck, the No. 2 producer of pumpkins, and No. 3 producer of spearmint and turkeys.
Hoosier farmers are also a top-five producer of soybeans, corn and hogs.
"During my time in the Senate, I have supported pro-agriculture legislation like House Enrolled Act 1557 (2023) and this year's House Bill 1183," Zay said. "As a state senator, I will always stand with our farmers, work to preserve our farmland and fight to make sure regulations never overburden rural Indiana."
HEA 1557 directed IDOA to conduct an inventory of farmland lost between 2010 and 2022 while HB 1183 would ban an individual or business affiliated with a foreign adversary from acquiring or leasing agricultural land in Indiana starting July 1, 2024.
In addition, Zay was only one of three senators who opposed House Enrolled Act 1483 (2021) because it excluded some farmers who were impacted by grain elevator failures in 2021 from being eligible to claim compensation for grain storage losses.
To learn more about Indiana's agricultural rankings, click here.
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State Sen. Andy Zay (R-Huntington) represents Senate District 17,
which includes Grant, Huntington and Wabash counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
