$300,000 in State Funding Distributed to Indiana Food Banks

Posted on August 2, 2018
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

Indiana’s food banks were recently given $300,000 from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Locally, the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, which serves Marshall, Starke, and four other counties, was given just over $36,000. Food Finders Food Bank, whose 16-county territory includes Pulaski and Fulton counties, has gotten nearly $29,000.

The funding is part of the state budget approved by the Indiana General Assembly last year. The Emergency Food Assistance Program fair share percentage, which is based on each county’s poverty and unemployment levels, was used to divide that money among the state’s 11 regional food banks, according to a State Department of Agriculture press release.

One in seven Indiana residents is food insecure, and more than 280,000 Hoosier children don’t know where their next meal is coming from, according to the state’s food bank association, known as Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. The group’s executive director, Emily Weikert Bryant says food banks get most of their food donated from retail establishments and food producers, but the state funding helps them buy milk, produce, and other high-demand items.

Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as the state’s secretary of agriculture and rural development, said in the press release that food banks across Indiana “are doing truly extraordinary things” for those who need help feeding their families.

Long-time Farming Families Receive Recognition at Indiana State Fair

Posted on August 15, 2017
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

At the Indiana State Fair last Friday, five local farms received the Hoosier Homestead Award, recognizing their families’ century-long commitment to Indiana agriculture. In order to be considered for the Hoosier Homestead Award, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 years and consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products annually.

This year’s local recipients include the Hostetler-Stutzman Farm of Laporte County, established in 1884 and the Will Family Farm of Starke County, established in 1915. The Pulaski County award winners are Glen-Ray-Den Farms, established in 1879, Needham House Farms, established in 1887 and Louis Tieman’s Farm, established in 1900.

In total, 72 Indiana families received Hoosier Homestead Awards from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. ISDA Director Ted McKinney expressed how important it is to recognize these generational farming families since they provide the food, fuel and fibers we use in everyday life.

AgriVision Award Nominations Sought

June 2, 2016AuthorMichael Gallenberger, WKVI 

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture is looking to recognize an innovator in the agriculture industry. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2016 AgriVision Award.

It seeks to honor Hoosiers who’ve contributed to the industry through innovation, advances in technology, or new business methods. The award is open to all current Indiana residents as well as all areas of the agriculture industry.

Applications are due by July 1 at 5:00 p.m. The award will be presented by Lieutenant Governor Eric Holcomb on August 17 during the Indiana State Fair’s Celebration of Agriculture.

The nomination form may be found on the ISDA website.

Applications Now Available for Specialty Crop Block Grants

April 8, 2016AuthorMichael Gallenberger

Grants are available to help fund projects that encourage the production of specialty crops. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture is now accepting grant proposals for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

More than $380,000 in federal money is expected to be available through the program, which is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A variety of organizations are eligible to apply for the funding, including producers, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and governments.

According to the ISDA, projects should enhance the competitiveness of Indiana’s specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops. The crops that would benefit from the projects must be plants used for food, medicine, or “aesthetic gratification.” The ISDA says some of the ideas for projects include those that develop local and regional food systems, increase access to food in under-served communities, or enhance food safety.

More information and a link to the application can be found on the ISDA website. Grant proposals are due by June 6 at 5 p.m. Eastern.

Starke County Attempting Conservation Projects with State Grants

November 10, 2015AuthorTyler Maffitt, WKVI 

 

Two state departments have awarded nearly $1-million in grants that look to improve conservation efforts in the Hoosier State.

According to a press release, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the State Soil Conservation Board reviewed grant applications submitted by local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Starke County partnered with Marshall and St. Joseph counties in the grant application process. Two grants of $75-thousand each were awarded to the group.

Grant funds will be used over the course of three years for projects that hope to educate local communities prior to implementation. According Starke County SWCD Coordinator Andrea Surma, the first grant would establish rain gardens in each of the three counties.

Under the plan, floodwater would be diverted into the rain garden, otherwise described as a depression near downspouts or other water intensive areas, and be used to water native plants and flowers.

Surma says the first two years of the grant would be used for education and bringing speakers to all three counties before implementing the projects in all three counties.

The second grant will work to establish incentives for farmers attempting cover crops for the first time. A similar process would be followed, attempting to provide educational opportunities before offering the incentives through the Conservation Reserve Program.

State Livestock Grant Applications Available

October 8, 2015AuthorMary Perren, WKVI 

Grants are available from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to promote and market livestock in order to foster growth within the industry. Educational programs, livestock shows and exhibitions, conventions and similar events and projects are eligible to apply for funding. Grant dollars cover things like value-added feasibility studies, research projects, market development and other projects that encourage the development of business and industry related to livestock production, processing and distribution.

The grants are open to nonprofit organizations, commissions and associations with 501(c) status involving the following livestock species: cattle, swine, sheep, equine, goats, poultry, camelids, ostriches, cervids, bison, aquaculture and rabbits.

Both the livestock production and market development grants will reimburse up to 50 percent of the amount spent to conduct or support the projects, programs and events outlined in each of the grants. Applications are due by Dec. 1, 2015.  All grant applications should be sent electronically to Kimmi Devaney, ISDA Livestock Production Program Manager at KDevaney@isda.in.gov by December 1, 2015. Award winners will be announced February 1, 2016. Applications are available atwww.in.gov/isda/2474.htm. No applications will be accepted after the deadline.