On Christmas Eve many Hoosiers are gathering with family for celebrations and Indiana farm leaders are no exception. But their thoughts aren’t straying too far from the farmers they serve and the bounty Indiana agriculture provides even in challenging years like this one.
The state’s first ever Secretary of Agriculture, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, is thankful for one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.
“This is such a close knit community. They work so hard for their passion of agriculture, and I will never be able to say thank you enough for all the special, special memories they’ve given me.”
Don Villwock is president of Indiana Farm Bureau and he says it’s an honor to extend greetings to Indiana farmers, especially at Christmas time.
“We’ve been through a lot this year and it’s been a challenging one and hopefully the drought disappears and 2013 and the New Year will be much, much better. But we have a lot of blessings in Indiana. We have a great ag community with great leaders and great farmers, and compassionate, caring farmers that care for their animals and their crops. To all of them from everyone at Indiana Farm Bureau we wish them the merriest Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture Joe Kelsay agrees it’s a good time of year to reflect on our many blessings.
“This time of year is a great time to think of how many blessings we really have and how this state has such great people that really make a difference in agriculture. As I think about even the challenges this year, with the growing season we had and the best expectations early in the year that became less of a reality as the days went by this summer, but the resilience of Indiana agriculture continues.
Kelsay added that in true farmer fashion he expects family holiday talk to eventually get back around to plans for 2013.
Merry Christmas from Indiana’s agriculture leaders and all of the members of Hoosier Ag Today![audio:https://www.hoosieragtoday.com//wp-content/uploads//2012/12/Merry-Christmas-from-Indiana-Ag.mp3|titles=Merry Christmas from Indiana Ag]