“As I travel the state, I’m hearing growing concerns from farmers and other constituents regarding the loss of farmland in the LEAP district in Boone County and in other parts of our state. Today, in addition to inventorying farmland lost from 2010 to 2022 (per HEA 1557), I’ve asked the Indiana Department of Agriculture to conduct an economic analysis of lost farmland to determine its value to local and state economies.
Let me be clear, I am not opposed to the LEAP district or others like it. I applaud the investment and jobs it will bring to our state. As the eighth largest farming state in the country, agriculture contributes more than $35 billion to our economy. State leaders must carefully consider the impact of lost agricultural production and, as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, I will ensure this happens.”
