Indiana Farm Bureau sets 2026 policy priorities

INDIANAPOLIS — Renewable energy projects, taxes, property rights and other issues will be policy priorities for Indiana Farm Bureau, as determined by the annual delegate session held Aug. 16.

A delegate body of 226 Indiana Farm Bureau members determined policy positions for the organization in 2026.

“Our annual delegate session is really the foundation of this organization,” said Randy Kron, INFB president.

“Farm Bureau is widely recognized at the local, state and national level as a trusted source for information on policy impacting agricultural issues. Legislators know how involved our grassroots are at creating these policies every year.”

Renewable Energy

Delegates discussed renewable energy projects across the state and decided to make nuclear energy a priority next year — especially investing research and money into creating small modular nuclear reactors at existing or decommissioned energy producing facilities.

“Energy is always a widely discussed issue among our membership,” said Katie Nelson, INFB executive director of public policy.

“We also heard many comments this year from the delegate floor about the importance of preserving prime farmland and incentivizing future projects to be on non-productive ground.”

Taxes

Delegates voted to oppose property taxes and to freeze them until they are eliminated. The policy book suggests property taxes be replaced from income or sales tax services, with exemptions for ag, medical and business to business.

Other Highlights

Delegates supported new home-based vendor language to make it easier to produce and sell locally grown food.

They also supported implementing civil and criminal penalties for nefarious unmanned aircraft systems being used over agricultural land and facilities.

Retiring Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer Mark Sigler was awarded with the Indiana Distinguished Hoosier award on behalf of Gov. Mike Braun.

This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities and whose qualities endear them to Hoosiers.

Delegates voted on members who would represent INFB at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in January in Anaheim, California. They elected:

• Lana Wallpe, Benton County

• Greg Orschell, Franklin County

• Paul Jacobs, Huntington County

• Matthew Lucas, Jackson County

• Mike Patka, LaGrange County