Today Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman presented a roadmap for continued growth in Indiana agriculture.  The roadmap is an update to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture's strategic plan and will guide the Department's focus over the next four years.   Lt. Governor Skillman presented the update to a gathering of industry representatives held at the Kelsay Dairy, a six generation dairy farm located in rural Johnson County.

Lt. Governor Skillman serves as Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Under her leadership, agriculture has been an important economic driver for Indiana.  "Governor Daniels and I are deeply committed to growth in Indiana agriculture," said Lt. Governor Skillman.  "From ethanol to food processing to hardwood furniture, agriculture is an industry that touches each and every Hoosier each and every day.  We believe that the possibilities for Indiana agriculture are endless--  and, with those possibilities comes progress in the form of jobs, capital investment, and wealth for rural Indiana." 

Since the Department of Agriculture was created in 2005, Indiana has seen significant economic growth in food and agriculture.  Over the past four years, food and agriculture projects have brought over $4 billion in investment and 4,000 jobs to the Hoosier state.  Indiana has risen to national leadership in biofuels production and distribution with the construction of 10 ethanol and 5 biodiesel plants as well as 129 public E-85 fuel pumps.  And, Indiana has seen growth in nearly all sectors of its livestock industry after years of decline.

Moving forward, the Administration's vision is that Indiana will be a global leader in innovation and commercialization for food, fuel and fiber production.  To accomplish that vision, the Department will focus its resources on initiatives under three core strategies of advocacy, economic opportunity and environmental stewardship.

"As we look ahead to the future, we see bright opportunity for Indiana agriculture in new markets like cellulosic ethanol and locally-grown foods coupled with great challenge in issues like hypoxia and climate change," said Anne Hazlett, Indiana Agriculture Director.  "In both dynamics, however, there is a tremendous opportunity for Indiana to lead." 

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For more information about ISDA's strategic update, please visit:   http://www.in.gov/isda/.

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