Indiana Farm Bureau sets legislative priorities for next year

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Farm Bureau announced its policy priorities for the 2026 legislative session, with a focus on protecting farms.

“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 ultimately ensure safe, affordable food — not just for Hoosiers, but for people all over the world.”

Property Tax Relief

INFB will support policies that improve the economic outlook for farms and help create opportunities for passing the farm onto the next generation.

“The tax relief that came out of Senate Enrolled Act 1 from the 2025 legislative session didn’t make a big enough dent in farmers’ pocketbooks to strengthen the ag economy,” Kron said.

“With continued pressure from rising input costs, land prices and property taxes, it will be difficult for farmers just to break even this year. We need lasting property tax reform now.”

Strengthen Rural Communities

INFB will encourage investment in rural communities with robust education, health care and emergency services, as well as infrastructure for local food production and value-added economic development.

“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. “We will support legislation this coming year that prioritizes effective, efficient and responsive local government services for our members.”

Support Indiana’s Farms And Farmers

According to a 2024 study conducted by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana lost almost 350,000 acres of farmland to mainly residential and economic development between 2010 and 2022.

Although farmers are getting more efficient with the tools they have, productive farmland is still essential to feed the world.

“Food security is national security,” Nelson said. “As the average person gets farther and farther away from the farm, it becomes increasingly important that farmers have a voice in the policies that impact them.

“Our members have made it clear that legislation protecting prime agricultural soils and natural resources should remain a priority moving forward.”

That objective includes ensuring zoning and land use regulations accommodate modern agriculture.

Water policy also remains on the priority list for INFB as stakeholders continue reviewing the state’s inventory and begin forming a framework for regulatory use in the future, Farm Bureau leaders said.