NCR SARE - Indiana State Plan of Work 2021-2022

View the project final report

Commodities

Practices

• Animal Production: animal protection and health, meat processing
• Crop Production: cover crops
• Education and Training: farmer to farmer
• Farm Business Management: farm-to-institution
• Production Systems: transitioning to organic
• Sustainable Communities: ethnic differences/cultural and demographic change, leadership development, local and regional food systems, partnerships, social networks

Indiana SARE program continues to reach its stakeholders despite COVID-19 restricting much travel and many of our activities, including planned events. We have used technology to reach our stakeholders, including using funds to facilitate digital and online delivery of information which we continued into 2022.  

Indiana will continue to move toward the implementation of sustainable agriculture practices. Indiana is a leader in adopting cover crops and other soil health-promoting practices, integrated pest management strategies, pollinator protection practices, urban farming, diversified farming systems, and local food production. 

Additions of specialist positions in Soil Health/Cover Crops, Beginning Farmer Coordinator, the addition of a Statewide Food Safety Educator, a statewide Urban Agriculture Coordinator, Organic/Diversified/Urban Ag Educators, and the growth of the Indiana Small Farm Conference as a means of outreach to a previously largely underserved audience are all signs of the evolution that is underway and evidence of Indiana’s awakening to the concept of sustainable agriculture.

The Indiana SARE PDP program continues to extend its reach to new audiences and engage new groups of educators in its programmatic efforts. The SARE Advisory committee is increasing the diversity of its representation and continues to seek suitable talented, and passionate representatives. This Plan of work is a direct representation of their commitment and collaboration. New partners, the Indiana Department of Health worked with Indiana SARE to bring four webinars to help train Indiana Food Council. another new partner is the National Wildlife Federation and the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and their program Urban Soil Health Program. 

Indiana is fortunate to have a formalized collaboration of Agency partners committed to conservation, the Indiana Conservation Partnership, and IN SARE is the beneficiary of this collaboration.

Efforts have begun to expand the reach to youth educators across Indiana, specifically ag education instructors and FFA teachers, to build awareness of SARE, better assess their needs, share resources, and find ways to engage the next generation of farmers.

It remains a primary goal of the Indiana SARE Coordinator to not only expand the communication with these separate groups and to identify and foster ways to foster additional cooperation in program delivery but additionally to identify others in Indiana who may be serving in these capacities in smaller perhaps more local ways. Outreach to staff in other Indiana Colleges and Universities interested in sustainability is underway.

The Small Farm Conference continues to serve as a much-needed focal point for small farms and sustainable agriculture in Indiana but also an evident commitment to these subjects from multiple partners coming together to make something special happen. Conventional farmers experiencing low commodity prices are seeking information on various related topics.

The Purdue Small Farm Team, the Diversified Farming and Food Systems program, and the IN SARE Advisory Council work collaboratively. The decision-making body for the IN SARE PDP effort will be the members of the SARE Advisory Council (AC), who will collaborate and be supportive of the professional development efforts of the Purdue Small Farm team in addition to other professional development needs identified by the AC.

The following initiatives were identified, discussed, and approved by the IN SARE Advisory Council at their September 7, 2018, meeting, further refined by Initiative Teams, and then approved by the full AC:

2021-2022 Indiana state initiative topics

1. Structural Support for Food and Agriculture  
2. Crop and Livestock Diversification Practices to Enhance Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems   
3. Integrated Approach to Natural Resources   
4. Addressing the Needs of Underserved Audiences in Agriculture and Food Systems    
5. Beginning Farmer and Rancher Regional Initiative       

State initiatives for 2021-2022 are:

Initiative 1: Structural Support for Food and Agricultural Systems 

1. More than 100 organizations, hospitals, foundations, clinics, and educators contacted to contribute to a common database.  
2. Convene affinity groups to identify educational needs and channels. 
3. Host or travel to two pieces of training for up to 60 professionals.  
4. Convene regular meetings on Food is Medicine topics with targeted groups across Indiana including elected officials and others interested in learning more about how locally grown food can contribute to a healthier Indiana. 

Initiative 2: Crop and Livestock Diversification Practices to Enhance Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems 

1. A total of 30 educators will attend the 2021 and 2022 Indiana Small Farm Conference 
2. 40 educators and stakeholders will attend trainings offered with Pasture Project and Savory Institute. Includes introductory webinar(s), and in-field learning activities at host farms. 
3. Training on regional livestock processing and network formation pertaining to livestock processing 
4. 10 educators’ Field trip to Indiana and Kentucky for 10 educators’ - hair sheep and goat training.  
5. Workshop on digital methods for livestock production 
6. Training for Extension educators about absentee and investment landowners; how they can help facilitate the conversation from conventional agriculture to a regenerative/holistic farming. 

Initiative 3 - Integrated Approach to Our Natural Resource 

1. Training programs in  
2. Basics of Soil Health podcast 12/year (2021/2022) 
3. Advanced Soil Health Systems Training 4 per year (2021) 
4. Advanced Cover Crops Training (Commodity Crop Emphasis) - 4 per year (2022)  
5. Demonstrating Cover Crop Use and Reduced Tillage in Specialty Crop Pumpkin, Corn and Watermelon Production (2021, 2022) A portion of this budget is found under salary and fringe spreadsheet 
6. Cover Crop and Soil Health Training at Indiana Horticulture Congress (2021/2022) 
7. Education/Presentation Skills Development for Educators and Peer-Based Mentors (2021/2022) 

Initiative 4: Addressing the Needs of Underserved Audiences in Agriculture and Food Systems in Urban Farming Systems 

1. Three in-state farm viability tours each year (2021, 2022) 
2. Midwest Learning field trip to Detroit, MI. (2021) 
3. Five ag professionals will be sponsored to attend the Small Farm Conference hosted by Purdue Extension in 2022.  
4. “Best Practices” video series. These videos will be shared during the Indiana Small Farm Conference, in programming curriculum from Purdue Extension, and through online public platforms such as YouTube and social media.  These videos will be created throughout the farm tours activities.

Initiative 5: Beginning Farmers and Ranchers-Regional Initiative