Indiana Farm Bureau is celebrating the recent victories achieved for the state's agriculture industry in the 2023 Indiana General Assembly. The efforts of the ag association played a crucial role in securing more funding for various state ag agencies, such as the Indiana State Board of Animal Health and Purdue Extension, as part of the 2023 budget bill.
One of the significant legislative victories for the agriculture industry was the funding allocation of $600,000 to the Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency for adding more staff to conduct yearly audits of every elevator. This increase in staff will help keep the elevators in good financial standing.
Additionally, the budget bill provided funding for other crucial priorities, including a $6 million per year increase for the Clean Water Indiana program, the restoration of Career Technical Education as a categorical grant, and a boost in public health funding to prioritize rural local public health departments.
Indiana lawmakers also passed a bill that clarifies the sales tax exemption for farm equipment, stating that farmers are not required to pay sales tax on equipment predominantly used over 50% for agriculture.
Indiana Farm Bureau expressed appreciation to the legislators for their support of the agriculture industry and their efforts in advancing its growth and prosperity in Indiana. These funding and policy changes will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the farming community and contribute to the state's economic development.
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Categories: Indiana, Business