By Andi Anderson
Indiana is set to study the economic impacts of farmland loss through House Bill 1417, which directs the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) to conduct an in-depth analysis.
With nearly 18 million acres of farmland and over 53,000 farms, Indiana ranks as the ninth-largest farming state in the U.S. However, farmland is under pressure from increasing commercial and residential development.
State Representative Beau Baird, the bill's author, emphasizes agriculture’s historic role in Indiana and the need to understand the economic ripple effects of losing farmland.
The ISDA’s findings, due by July 2025, will help inform development decisions in rural communities and promote a balanced approach to land use.
This new study builds on a 2023 report that inventoried farmland loss in Indiana between 2010 and 2022. During this period, the state lost over 121,000 acres of farmland, with Monroe County alone losing 30,000 acres.
The previous report found that nearly 73% of lost farmland was converted to residential use, especially in densely populated areas like Indianapolis, Lafayette, and Bloomington, where housing demand is high.
Baird stresses the importance of a tailored approach to development, noting that every community’s needs are different. Co-author Representative Kendell Culp advocates for “smart growth,” suggesting housing should be developed in more condensed areas with smaller lots to preserve agricultural land.
Culp, a farmer, highlights that agriculture’s economic value extends beyond crops, supporting markets for fertilizers, pesticides, livestock feed, and rural jobs.
He also notes the environmental benefits of farmland, such as carbon sequestration and soil health improvements that resist erosion.
The ISDA study aims to guide future growth in Indiana, ensuring that development balances the needs of housing and agriculture to support the state's economy and environment.
Photo Credit: indiana-state-department-of-agriculture
Categories: Indiana, Business