By Andi Anderson
The Indiana Smart Agriculture (INSA) Work Group has released a new report urging Indiana’s agricultural sector to adopt climate-smart practices for a more resilient future.
Titled “Indiana Smart Agriculture: Building a Resilient Future for Indiana Farms and Forests,” this report builds on the INSA's previous initiatives and lays out a detailed action plan to support sustainable agriculture.
Led by farmers Don Villwock and Tom McKinney, the INSA Work Group was formed in 2022 to promote sustainable agriculture and address the increasing climate challenges affecting Indiana’s farms.
The recent storms that impacted central Indiana, despite being hundreds of miles from a hurricane’s landfall, illustrate the vulnerability of local agriculture to extreme weather.
To guide Indiana’s agricultural transition, the INSA has outlined five key pathways. These include promoting climate-smart agriculture, expanding research, investing in human and technological resources, managing soil and water wisely, and aligning agricultural goals with broader environmental objectives.
Each pathway is backed by specific action steps aimed at fostering resilience and sustainability.
The INSA collaborated with experts and stakeholders from across Indiana's agricultural and forestry sectors, including Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, to create a comprehensive framework.
By gathering insights and perspectives from various parts of the agricultural value chain, the INSA report reflects a shared commitment to a resilient future.
Looking forward, the INSA will focus on building support for these recommendations among policymakers, young farmers, and agricultural organizations statewide.
The group invites all stakeholders to engage in this conversation, contributing to a future where Indiana’s agriculture remains productive and resilient against environmental challenges.
Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic
Categories: Indiana, Sustainable Agriculture