Rollins harvests corn on Indiana farm visit: Highlights trade wins, hears from Hoosier farmers

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana agriculture took center stage as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited Everett Farms and Seed LLC in Lebanon ahead of her keynote address to the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

The visit, hosted by U.S. Rep. Jim Baird, R-Indiana, and his son, state Rep. Beau Baird, R-Greencastle, as well as the Indiana Corn Growers Association and the Indiana Soybean Alliance, highlighted how trade and biofuels policy shape the success of Indiana’s farm economy.

Tyler Everett, board treasurer of the ICGA and owner of Everett Farms and Seed, along with his family, welcomed Rollins on Oct. 30 to his multigenerational family farm and shared the importance of market consistency for corn growers.

“With over 43% of Indiana’s corn going into ethanol, what happens in the biofuels space directly impacts not only my farm and my neighbor’s farm, but our entire state’s economy,” he said.

“We encourage USDA to continue working with EPA to finalize nationwide, year-round E15 sales and ensure the program has the regulatory clarity it needs.”

During the visit, Rollins toured the farm, harvested a few rows of a cornfield in Everett’s combine and participated in a roundtable discussion with Indiana farmers and agricultural leaders.

The conversation focused on the role of trade in keeping rural economies strong and the impact of new international agreements.

Rollins shared breaking news of a recent trade development with China that includes significant soybean purchase commitments.

“Until this week, China had purchased zero, which was devastating to our soybean farmers, especially when we rely on them for 62% of our market,” she said.

“The agreement includes 12 million metric tons of soybean purchases over the next two months and at least 25 million tons annually in the coming years, plus commitments on sorghum, hardwood and the removal of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. ag products.”

Denise Scarborough, chair of ISA and a farmer from LaCrosse, emphasized how global trade directly impacts local farm profitability.

“We’re like a well-oiled machine as long as global markets are open and stable,” she said. “But uncertainty, whether from tariffs, politics or shifting regulations, hits our farms fast. We want free trade, not aid. Open markets are what keep our rural economies thriving.”

Scarborough, who also represents Indiana on the American Soybean Association Board and works as an agricultural lender, added that farmers are facing tight margins and increased volatility.

“Whether it’s a good plan or a bad plan, we just need a plan so we can move forward with confidence,” she said.

In addition to Rollins, the event drew participation from Indiana’s agricultural, state and federal leadership.

Baird and other members of Indiana’s congressional delegation, including fellow Republican U.S. Reps. Mark Messmer, Jefferson Shreve, Victoria Spartz and Rudy Yakym and Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, attended along with Scott Hutchins, U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary for research, education and economics, and Larry Bucshon, who retired last year after seven terms in Congress.

Also participating were Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb and representatives from the Indiana General Assembly and major farm organizations including ISA, ICGA, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Indiana Farm Bureau, Indiana Pork and Indiana State Poultry Association, as well as Beck’s.

The visit showcased Indiana’s leadership in agriculture and reinforced the importance of continued federal engagement on trade and energy policy to sustain farm profitability.