By Andi Anderson
In Indiana, farmers are taking the lead in addressing climate-related challenges that increasingly affect agriculture. In January, the farmer-led Indiana Smart Agriculture (INSA) Work Group issued a call to action with its new report, "Indiana Smart Agriculture: Building a Resilient Future for Indiana Farms and Forests."
The report builds on their initial 2023 report and provides a structured, climate-smart roadmap to support Indiana’s agricultural adaptation to changing environmental conditions.
Led by farmers Don Villwock and Tom McKinney, INSA encourages sustainable, conservation-based farming practices that aim to strengthen soil health, improve resilience, and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather conditions such as droughts, severe storms, and floods.
Formed in 2022, INSA is backed by Solutions from the Land and Purdue University’s College of Agriculture. The group collaborates with stakeholders across the state to gather insights and identify strategies that protect agriculture and natural resources amid environmental shifts.
The report introduces five key pathways to guide Indiana’s agricultural community:
Practice Climate-Smart Agriculture: Promote the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices that help farms remain productive and sustainable.
Gather and Disseminate Information: Enhance research and share knowledge to enable adaptation and support farmers with practical information.
Optimize Human and Technological Capital: Develop strategies to support farm owners and workers while encouraging technological advancements.
Wisely Steward Soil and Water: Protect soil and water resources, ensuring long-term health and availability for future generations.
Align and Integrate Goals: Create open communication channels to address overlapping goals for agriculture, energy, and water management effectively.
INSA’s report emphasizes that these pathways are interlinked, aiming to build a resilient future for Indiana agriculture that benefits the environment, farmers, and communities. Villwock and McKinney hope the report’s recommendations will spark discussion and attract support from other stakeholders, including policymakers and agricultural organizations.
The next steps for INSA include sharing the report’s findings with stakeholders and encouraging young farmers to join this initiative. Together, they aim to ensure that Indiana’s agriculture adapts to climate change and thrives for generations to come.
Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic
Categories: Indiana, Sustainable Agriculture