By Andi Anderson
The Indiana Farm Bureau (INFB) has announced its 2026 legislative priorities, emphasizing the need for stronger economic stability, rural development, and farmland preservation to ensure a prosperous future for farmers and rural communities.
“Last year, we were laser-focused on tax legislation with it being a budget year,” said INFB President Randy Kron. “This year, we need the General Assembly to consider legislation that will protect farms and rural communities to ensure safe, affordable food, not just for Hoosiers but for people all over the world.”
With farm debt projected to rise nearly 20% since 2022, reaching about $592 billion, the Bureau is calling for measures that support long-term farm viability. INFB plans to advocate for policies at the local, state, and national levels to help farmers manage financial pressures and keep their operations running.
Among the top priorities is encouraging investment in agriculture. Kron noted that the 2025 property tax relief was insufficient to ease the burden of rising input costs, land prices, and property taxes, stressing the urgent need for lasting tax reform to strengthen the state’s farm economy.
Another major goal is to strengthen rural communities, which play a vital role in supporting agriculture. INFB aims to boost investment in education, healthcare, emergency services, and local food infrastructure. “Emergency medical services, fire, and police are essential to keep rural communities surviving long term,” said Katie Nelson, INFB’s Executive Director of Public Policy.
Protecting Indiana’s farmland and natural resources remains a cornerstone of INFB’s mission. A 2024 state study found the loss of 350,000 acres of farmland between 2010 and 2022, mainly to development. Nelson emphasized, “Food security is national security,” urging for stronger zoning, land-use, and water policy protections to preserve agricultural land.
INFB’s legislative agenda is shaped by grassroots input from county Farm Bureaus. The finalized priorities will be discussed during the Organization Day Breakfast on November 18, 2025, followed by advocacy efforts at the Statehouse when the 2026 legislative session begins in January.
Through these initiatives, the Indiana Farm Bureau continues its commitment to securing a resilient, thriving future for the state’s farmers and rural communities.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: Indiana, General