Innovate and Grow: Conference held for Indiana Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ag Professionals

INDIANAPOLIS — The annual Innovate and Grow Conference was held to provide education and networking for Indiana Farm Bureau members under age 40.

Henry County received the Outstanding County Young Farmers & Ag Professionals Award. Johnson and Huntington counties were runners-up for the award.

Henry County’s 2025 programming focused on philanthropy and community events, including a bowling night, cookout and pedal pull.

The committee also prepared agricultural classroom kits for FFA chapters to teach students about the layers of soil. They organized the popcorn booth at the Henry County Fair and helped sponsor the Henry County 4-H awards dinner.

Conference highlights included:

• Keynote speaker Dallas Clark, retired NFL tight end who now farms in his hometown of Livermore, Iowa.

• Keynote speaker Mary Pat Sass — an influencer, farm wife, mom and agriculture advocate from northern Illinois. With a background in agricultural technology, she transitioned from a corporate ag career to life on her family’s farm, where she discovered the power of storytelling.

• Special interest sessions to motivate and prepare young farmers and agriculture professionals for success as their careers develop.

• Breakout sessions about farm preparedness, farm financials and tax tips, the evolving spray drone industry, ways to diversify your farm, effective storytelling for modern agriculture and more.

• Local industry tours including trips to Smoking Goose Meatery in Indianapolis, Beck’s headquarters in Atlanta and Four Day Ray Brewing in Fishers.

• The conference concluded with dinner at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

• Kylie Wagoner of Henry County will serve as chair for 2026.

• Amie Osborn of Miami County will serve as vice chair.

• Cameron Yundt of Scott County will serve as secretary.

The committee welcomed the following district YF&AP leaders to serve two-year terms:

• District 1: Lauren and Dalton Weinkauff, Porter County.

• District 3: Brooke and Hunter Ridenour, Carroll County.

• District 5: William Frazee, Montgomery County.

• District 7: Kenzie and Billy Pigg, Clay County.

• District 9: Ashlyn and Justin Hoffman, Pike County.

For more information on the program, visit infb.org/YFAP.