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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management considers an agricultural business a concentrated animal feeding operation if the farm meets or exceeds animal threshold numbers including 2,500 swine above 55 pounds, 55,000 turkeys or 700 mature dairy cows. (Adobe Stock)

IN farms have stricter rules for CAFO operations

A new study shows more than 1 million tons of animal waste is produced every year in the U.S. Consumers' desire for more animal protein and better …

On Tuesday, each candidate for Lieutenant Governor presented a distinct vision for Indiana, setting the stage for a heated race. (Adobe Stock)

IN Lt. Governor candidates present starkly different visions

In a debate in the race for Indiana's next Lieutenant Governor, the candidates clashed over the future of the state. Micah Beckwith, the Republican …

The proposed FEED Act has bipartisan support. (Adobe Stock)

Critics say IN-made dairy cow feed additive is 'overblown'

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Sentient/Public News Service Collaboration A …

According to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, the Hoosier State ranks ninth as the largest farming state in the nation. (Adobe Stock)

IN farmers markets help food deserts, economy

This week is National Farmers Market Week, as fresh jams, jellies, fruits and vegetables draw thousands of people to more than 8,000 farmers markets …

The new law will apply only to future sales of Indiana farmland. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana farmland off limits to 'foreign adversaries'

A bipartisan law set to take effect this summer prohibits foreign adversaries from buying Hoosier farmland. The signature of Gov. Eric Holcomb was …

Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer, a farmer in northern Indiana, says the United States has 1.3 billion acres of farmland but 40 million acres is owned by foreign countries. (Adobe stock)

Proposed IN law prohibits US adversaries from buying farmland

Legislation aimed at stopping U.S. adversaries from owning farmland in Indiana will be argued before the full state Senate today. Rep. Kendell Culp…

According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, the Justice 40 Initiative's policy plan includes increasing job energy resiliency and energy democracy and decreasing environmental exposure for disadvantaged communities. (Adobe Stock)

USDA funding to ease application process for clean energy projects

Indiana will soon get a dedicated person to help farmers, ranchers and other landowners apply for federal grants to help fight pollution and climate …

More than 4 million hogs reside in Indiana. (Adobe Stock)

Feds warn IN pig farmers about fatal herd disease

This is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's third annual African Swine Fever Action Week, and as the nation's fifth-largest pork producer, Indiana …

The U.S. Census Bureau describes a small town as having a population of less than 5,000. Small towns typically have lower property taxes, which makes homeownership more affordable. (Adobe Stock)

IN Lawmaker Testifies for Growth of Rural Small Business, Infrastructure

Some smaller Indiana cities and towns are lagging when it comes to growth and development of amenities that larger cities have, but they need funding…

Planting trees, updating streetlights to LED bulbs and installing

Initiative Helps Hoosiers Get Environmental Resilience Funding

A funding hub has launched in Indiana, designed to help small communities pursue federal funding for climate, energy and resilience projects…

In today's economy, new research suggests families making less than $75,000 annually may sometimes struggle to feed their families. (Adobe stock)

Research: Tech Opportunities Could Reduce IN Food Insecurity

New research by an Indiana nonprofit coalition reveals areas for innovation which could help minimize food insecurity. The report showed technology …

The 2018-2023 Farm Bill is projected to cost around $428 billion, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana Family Farmers Want More Say in Federal Farm Bill

Agriculture advocates in Indiana say the upcoming reauthorization of the federal Farm Bill should emphasize serving community needs, not corporate …

Cover crops can improve water infiltration into the soil and some, like legumes, also are natural fertilizers. (bmargaret/Adobe Stock)

Report: Indiana Farmers Planted More Cover Crops than Ever

INDIANAPOLIS -- There's good news for soil conservation efforts in a new survey by the Indiana Conservation Partnership: Farmers in the state planted …

Hoosiers will soon start hearing the cicadas' Brood X mating call at a constant, high volume. And it's expected to last four to six weeks. (Smuangtim/Adobe Stock)

Surviving Cicada Swarm May Mean Protecting Young Trees

INDIANAPOLIS - The largest brood of 17-year cicadas, known as the Great Eastern Brood, is on its way - and Hoosiers can expect to see their swarms …

Small "Super" Device Could Hold Key to Better Soil, Water

INDIANAPOLIS -- A state-of-the-art tool is helping researchers in Indiana better understand the effectiveness of soil-conservation practices…

More frequent heavy rainfalls are posing challenges for growers in Indiana. (Adobe Stock)

Alliance Encourages Indiana Farmers to Fight Climate Impacts

INDIANAPOLIS - More than half of Indiana's land is used for agriculture, and there's a new effort to keep those lands resilient to the effects of …

Rye is a popular cover crop in Indiana. (AdobeStock)

Improved Tool Can Help Hoosier Farmers Develop Cover-Crop Strategy

INDIANAPOLIS -- Harvest season is getting into full swing in Indiana, and many farmers are already thinking about how to prep their land for next …

Cover crops and other soil conservation practices can help mitigate the impacts of heavy rains and flooding. (Francois Molle/Flickr)

Indiana Farmers Focus on Better Soil to Buffer Climate Impacts

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana farmers aren't immune to changing weather patterns affecting the Midwest. That's why those who are adopting conservation …

A pollinator-friendly solar farm provides acres of healthy food for bees as well as creating clean energy. (Fresh Energy)

Beekeepers Convene in Indy: Can Solar Power Save the Species?

INDIANAPOLIS -- There was a loud buzz over bees in Indiana this weekend, as more than 1,200 beekeepers gathered in Indianapolis to learn the latest …

The new USMCA trade deal will open up a larger portion of Canada's dairy market to Indiana. (AdobeStock)

New Trade Deals: A Brighter Future for Indiana's Businesses?

INDIANAPOLIS -- Some Indiana farms and businesses are hopeful for a brighter future, thanks to the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement…

Much of the food bought by the United States government from farmers to reduce the impact of trade disputes ends up going to food banks. (Greg Vojtko/U.S. Navy/Wikipedia)

Trade Fights Mean More Food for Indiana Food Pantries

INDIANAPOLIS – International trade fights are having an unexpected upside for Indiana programs that focus on feeding the hungry. To make up …

Indiana has allocated a lot more money for inspecting and regulating Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, but will it result in fewer complaints about them? (Casa da Photo/Adobe Stock)

Indiana Boosts Funding for CAFO Inspections

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana is boosting its efforts to ensure that Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations are following the rules. The Indiana Department …

Soybeans can be planted over a cereal rye cover crop. (Bmargaret/Adobe Stock)

Indiana Continues to Grow Cover Crop Acreage

INDIANAPOLIS – A farming practice that could make land more sustainable in the future appears to be growing in popularity in Indiana. Cover …

Indiana is the fourth largest turkey-producing state in the nation. (skeeze/Pixabay))

Consumer Groups Highlight Salmonella Concerns on Thanksgiving

INDIANAPOLIS – This Thanksgiving, concerns about salmonella in turkey products are on the table for many consumer groups. A drug-resistant …

USDA financing can help small Indiana cities and towns refurbish their current water infrastructure systems or build new facilities. (Pixabay)

USDA Grants Help with Rural Indiana's Water, Waste Woes

INDIANAPOLIS – August is Water Quality Month, and cities and towns throughout Indiana with water or waste problems to tackle have an …

Farmworkers face chronic exposure to pesticides. (Peter Blanchard/Flickr)

Lawsuit Claims EPA Holding Back Pesticide Safety Information

INDIANAPOLIS — A new lawsuit accuses the Environmental Protection Agency of putting farmworkers in Indiana, as well as other states, at …

A collaborative effort is under way to protect honeybees. (ncdag.gov)

IN Farmers Urged to "Bee-Aware" of Pollinators

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana is one of the top soybean producing states in the country, and a major endeavor is under way to educate farmers about …

Loyal readership is the key to survival for thw 7,000 weekly newspapers across the country, many in rural areas. (Virginia Carter)

Rural Newspapers Key for Hoosiers

INDIANAPOLIS -- About 63 million, or 16 percent, of people in the U.S. live in rural America. And while they increasingly embrace digital technology…

Corn and soybeans are Indiana's biggest cash crops. (usda.gov)

Report Shows Climate Change Being Fueled by Ethanol

INDIANAPOLIS – The federal mandate to add ethanol to fuel has led to a big increase in climate-disrupting pollution, according to a new study…

A panel is taking public testimony to determine if legislation is needed to regulate factory farms. (usda.gov)

Public Hearing Tackles Factory Farms

INDIANAPOLIS — The question of what to do about runoff from concentrated animal-feeding operations, known as CAFOs, continues to be a topic of …

More than half of the people who live in rural Indiana don't have access to high-speed Internet service. (C. Foley)

Rural Hoosiers Would Lose Under FCC Broadband Plan

INDIANAPOLIS -- The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission wants to redefine broadband by lowering the standard for speed - a move advocate…

Students in hundreds of schools in Indiana participate in farm-to-school activities. (farmtoschool.org)

Connection Between Farms, Schools Would Grow Under New Legislation

INDIANAPOLIS -- New legislation would boost a program that connects students in more than 1,400 Hoosier schools to local farmers. The Farm to …

One of the grassland birds that's seen a rebound in Indiana and the Midwest is the bobolink. (ohio.gov)

Report: Farm Bill Programs Helping Indiana's Birds

INDIANAPOLIS – The 2018 Farm Bill soon will be debated in Congress, and advocates say not only is it crucial for agriculture, it's also key for …

Environmental groups say Indiana waterways polluted by runoff from factory farms are just one reason they're pushing for tougher regulations. (hec.org)

Change in Approach to Fighting Indiana Factory-Farm Pollution

INDIANAPOLIS -- Environmental groups in Indiana have spent years filing lawsuits and sponsoring legislation against factory farms. Now, they're …

More children in Indiana's small towns rely on Medicaid to stay healthy than those in the state's larger cities. (Virginia Carter)

Medicaid Crucial to Rural Hoosier Kids

INDIANAPOLIS -- A new report shows that Medicaid plays a larger role in rural communities in Indiana than it does in larger cities. The report…

Much of the corn grown in Indiana is used for grain, but popcorn also is a top commodity. (usda.gov)

Corn Crops Being Monitored by Robots

INDIANAPOLIS – Severe weather brought on by climate change is threatening crops in Indiana and across the U.S., and a study is underway at the …

Grasslands are being destroyed in states where ethanol production is high. (Dept. of Agriculture)

Study: Ethanol Production Means Habitat Destruction

INDIANAPOLIS — Wildlife habitat near corn ethanol refineries has been destroyed at a fast pace since a federal law was passed to produce more bi…

Small farmers say mega-mergers in the agriculture industry hurt them. (momsacrossamerica.org)

A Call for Oversight for Ag Mega-Mergers

INDIANAPOLIS – Nearly 325 organizations have signed a letter pressing new U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to make sure the Justice …

Hoosiers are speaking up about confined feeding operation rules. (hecweb.org)

Hoosiers Speak Out Against Factory Farm Bill

INDIANAPOLIS – A bill that environmentalists say would weaken Indiana's laws regulating Confined Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs, is being …

Hoosier farmers say they should be included in the debate over NAFTA and immigration. (in.gov)

Farmers Want a Say on NAFTA and Immigration Debate

INDIANAPOLIS – Agriculture and trade groups are voicing their concerns over President Donald Trump's stance on immigration and his threats to wi…

Improving quality of life in Indiana's rural communities means involving young people and giving them reasons to stay and grow businesses there. (visitindiana.com)

Reviving Rural America Means Giving Young People a Voice

INDIANAPOLIS – A nationwide movement aimed at improving the quality of life in rural America, including Indiana, said it's focused on involving …

Indiana farmers are being asked to sell surplus or blemished produce to food banks. (Virginia Carter)

Farm to Table: Feeding Indiana's Hungry

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Crops are coming in all over the Midwest, and since Indiana is home to more than 60,000 farms, food banks are hoping to be able …

Farmers are busy clearing fields in Indiana but they're advised to take the time to protect against hackers. (in.gov)

Hoosier Farmers Urged to Protect Against Hackers

INDIANAPOLIS – Cyber attacks are reported in the news all the time, but you don't often think of the victims being farmers. Still, it is a …

Two Indiana universities are working to keep fertilizers from ending up in local waterways, and have gotten recognition for their research from the White House. (in.gov)

Researchers: Mother Nature Knows Best

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – A new program aimed at improving water quality in the nation's heartland by using watershed-scale conservation to reduce …

Of the 125,000 animals that end up in Indiana shelters, about 40 percent are euthanized. (Virginia Carter)

An Alternative to Euthanizing Thousands of Pets in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana is one of the few states without a mandatory spay and neuter law for cats and dogs, and those pushing legislation to make it …

Indiana farmers are doing their part to help keep people from going hungry during the holidays. Credit: pippalou/morguefile

Indiana Farmers "Humbly" Helping Neighbors

INDIANAPOLIS - A big Thanksgiving dinner isn't always possible for the one in six Indiana residents who struggle with hunger. Farmers around the …

Indiana's new Farm to Food Banks program allows growers to sell extra produce to food banks. Credit: JZ Lomeck/Morguefile

New Program is Getting Fresh Produce to Indiana's Hungry

INDIANAPOLIS – An effort to get more fresh produce on the tables of struggling Hoosiers is coming to fruition. The Farms to Food Banks …

The new Indiana Grown initiative highlights food that comes from Indiana farms in order to connect local consumers and businesses to local producers. Credit: Natalie Maynor/Flickr

Indiana Grown: Getting Fresh, Local Foods to Indiana Tables

INDIANAPOLIS – Whether its chicken and pork or corn and strawberries, the list of foods produced in Indiana is extensive. And the new Indiana …

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IN: Rural/Farming