Planting season is quickly approaching for Indiana’s 94,000 farmers. With the warm weather and sunshine, Hoosier motorists will also see more large slow-moving farm equipment traveling Indiana’s rural roads and highways.
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana State Police and Hoosier Ag Today want to encourage motorists to slow down, be alert and be patient on roadways this spring.
“Indiana farmers will be working hard this spring to ensure their crops are planted safely, timely and efficiently,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Whether you live in rural, urban or suburban Indiana, remain alert on the road this spring as you may encounter large farm equipment moving between fields.”
In 2021, four occupants were involved in crashes with farm equipment in Indiana which resulted in two deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration*.
“With the onset of warmer weather, we will begin to see more and more farm machinery on our rural roads and highways,” said Doug Carter, Indiana State Police Superintendent. "Patience, courtesy, undivided attention, and understanding will help everyone get to where they need to be safely. Let’s all do our part to ensure our farmers enjoy a safe planting season.”
While the term “farm equipment” encompasses a wide range of vehicles, the most common types motorists will encounter during planting season include sprayers, tractors pulling planters or tillage equipment, and large trucks hauling agricultural products. These vehicles are wide, sometimes taking up most of the road, and often travel at speeds no greater than 25 mph.
The following list includes several safety tips for motorists approaching large farm equipment:
- Farmers will pull over when they are able to let motorists pass, but it may take time for them to get to a safe place to do so.
- Be patient. Farm equipment is wide, sometimes taking up most of the road.
- Be careful when passing. Do not pass in a designated “No Passing Zone” or within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, elevation structure or tunnel.
- Do not try to pass slow-moving farm equipment on the left without ensuring that the farmer driving is not planning a left turn. It may appear that the driver is pulling over to allow a pass when the farmer is actually preparing to turn. You will drive right into its path, endangering yourself and the farmer.
- Avoid tailgating, as some farm equipment might have to make sudden stops along the road.
- Allow plenty of time to get to a destination, be aware of alternate routes and avoid distractions.
Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb wants to remind motorists that farmers work hard to ensure they are being as safe as possible.
“As a farmer myself I have heard of way too many accidents involving farm equipment and motorists on rural Indiana roads,” said Lamb. “Unfortunately, crashes and deaths occur each year during this busy time. We want to encourage motorists to slow down, be alert and be patient when sharing the roads with farmers this busy spring season.”
For a list of safety tips, click here or visit isda.in.gov. The following organizations will be working together to share this important safety message during planting season: Hoosier Ag Today, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Transportation and Indiana State Police.
Indiana Grown held a member event Tuesday focused on encouraging schools, hospitals, restaurants and more to buy local. The event featured 57 Indiana Grown members who are ready and able to expand into larger markets.
Members who attended the showcase were highlighting their locally grown, raised, processed and crafted items, like wagyu beef, pork, Indiana wine, craft spirits, specialty produce, sauces, spices, coffee and more.
The event featured guests from Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky shopping for their specialty store, distribution business, hospital or school cafeteria, restaurant or grocery store.
Isaac Hughes with Ideal Meat & Specialty Foods was looking for unique products from local producers to offer to their customers.
"I love events like this because it gives me an opportunity to see things I normally don't see and that I would be interested in distributing," said Hughes. "We also enjoyed visiting with our current business partners and welcomed their suggestions of who to see at the show. This event was a great opportunity for me to connect with Indiana Grown members I might not have known existed."
Indiana Grown was excited to host this first time event said Caroline Patrick, Indiana Grown director.
“This brand-new event for Indiana Grown was a huge success and we are so thankful to the many members who attended,” said Patrick. “When expanding your small business, it can be hard to be connected with the right audience and this was a great opportunity for our members and for our food buying attendees to feature locally grown, made and crafted products in their schools, hospitals, restaurants, catering services and more across the state.”
Tamika Catchings with Tea's Me Café from Indianapolis stated she appreciated her fellow members and Indiana Grown teammates.
"Being an Indiana Grown member for only a year and a half, we were grateful to be invited to this first-ever event," said Catchings. "Walking around and visiting with other Indiana Grown members has been a huge asset because we can seek other members who want to work with us and leverage both of our products for greater success."
Jennifer Wiese of BeeFree, whose company was started by a mom looking for gluten free snacks for her son who was diagnosed with Autism, highlighted that this event was a great success.
"We loved the opportunity to introduce our products to new customers, and we love sharing our story that our snacks were created by a mom on a mission and our products are sweetened with honey, contain real ingredients that are the perfect on-the-go snack," said Wiese.
Companies who attended the showcase are listed below:
- Daniel’s Vinyard – McCordsville
- Pig’s Tale Charcuterie – Indianapolis
- Sip & Share Wines - Indianapolis
- Marsha’s Specialty Desserts & Tierney’s Catering - Avon
- 550 Wagyu - Lafayette
- Owen Valley Winery - Spencer
- Uncle Al’s Breading & Auntie B’s Custom Blending - Converse
- Agua Blanca Shrimp - Indianapolis
- Voils Family Farm - Mitchell
- Abby’s Elderberry - Otisco
- Cindy’s Candy Corner - Hymera
- Bee Great - Churubusco
- Kim’s Key Lime Products - Indianapolis
- Little Family Foods – Terre Haute
- Your Grandpa’s Old Fashioned – Carmel
- Indiana Soap Company – Greenfield
- Cute as a Cupcake! Cupcakery & Bake Shop – Merrillville
- Three Flock Farm – Ellettsville
- Amish Country Dairy – Shipshewana
- PopKorn Kernels With A Twist – Bloomington
- Pa and Ma’s BBQ Sauce – Indianapolis
- Tulip Tree Creamery – Indianapolis
- West Fork Whiskey Co. – Indianapolis
- Spicekick Seasoning – Fishers
- Fungi Meadows – Logansport
- Miller’s Orchard – Nappanee
- Fish Lake Organic – Goshen
- Little Way Farm and Homestead – Vevay
- MKONO Farm – Bloomington
- Needmore Coffee Roasters – Bloomington
- Garcia’s Gardens – Indianapolis
- Metal Honey Foods – Indianapolis
- Pure Memory Water – Indianapolis
- Risin’ Creek Creamery – Martinsville
- Linneweber's Sauce Company – Vincennes
- Hunt Family Farm – Amboy
- Brick House Vinaigrettes – Indianapolis
- Healthy Hoosier Oil – Converse
- Nature’s Tea Company – Indianapolis
- Aahaa Chai – Indianapolis
- Bloomington Farm Stop Collective – Bloomington
- Celtic Glen Heritage Livestock – Spencer
- Middle Davids Candles – Franklin
- Kei2Health – Indianapolis
- Eat Surreal – Indianapolis
- Wild Spirit Coffee Co- Bloomfield
- Slaughter Orchard & Cidery – Bloomington
- Beehive Body Co – Mount Summit
- Tea's Me Cafe – Indianapolis
- Apricot Sun – Carmel
- Groomsville Popcorn – Tipton
- BeeFree – Noblesville
- Culver Duck – Middlebury
- Bread & Roses Gardens – Bloomington
- My Sugar Pie – Zionsville
- Newfangled Confections – Indianapolis
- 4 Birds Bakery – Indianapolis
Indiana Grown is excited to continue this showcase into 2025 and beyond.
Gov. Eric Holcomb has proclaimed March 19 as National Ag Day in Indiana.
“Agriculture is the backbone of our rural communities, and this sector is a large employer of Hoosiers and contributes so much to our state, both economically and socially,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Today, we not only celebrate all Hoosiers involved in any capacity, but we thank them also!”
National Ag Day, March 19, 2024, highlights agriculture’s contributions to our state and local economies and allows producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across America to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by American agriculture.
Indiana is the ninth largest agricultural producing state in the country. The state has over 94,000 farmers, and agricultural production is valued at over $18 billion. Indiana farmers cultivate over 14.6 million acres and establish over 47,000 soil conservation practices each year which kept an estimated 1.8 million tons of soil in the farm fields.
Indiana’s top commodities are:
- Number one producer of popcorn, gourds and duck
- Number two producer of pumpkins
- Number three producer of spearmint, turkeys and total eggs
- Number four producer of peppermint and soybeans
- Number five producing state for corn and hogs
- Number six producer of watermelons
- Number ten producing state for maple syrup and hemp for floral (CBD and other cannabinoid usage)
“Indiana’s agriculture breadth is deep and wide. We have traditional row crop farmers and animal producers, we have farmers who grow popcorn for movie theaters and corn for tortilla chips, we have food manufacturers who make snack cakes that are beloved worldwide, and we have organic farmers and farmers that sell directly to restaurants and consumers,” said Don Lamb, ISDA director. “My favorite part about agriculture in Indiana is that everyone has a seat at our table. Today, we honor them and extend our gratitude.”
The Washington County Sheep Association is hosting “A Taste of Lamb” on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at Southern Hills Church (1645 S. St. Rd. 135, Salem).
“A Taste of Lamb” will feature the very popular lamb cook-off. Attendees will enjoy approximately six lamb dishes, prepared with locally raised lamb, and vote for their favorite. Prizes will be awarded to the three dishes with the most votes. Attendees will learn about preparing lamb and will take home recipes.
The cost is $10 per person, paid at the door. Reservations are required by Friday, March 8 by calling Purdue Extension – Washington County at 812-883-4601.
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