The 95th Indiana Farm Bureau Convention moved to Ft. Wayne this year and highlights during the Friday general session included a brief address from Ted McKinney who takes the reins at the state department of ag next year. With the everyday explosion of the world’s population, he is bullish on agriculture.
“I know where prices are. I do watch the markets,” he said, “but I’m still bullish for the long term and I think this is the time we’ve got to all come together, get our story, and get our work stitched together so that we can go forward as a state. I for one am going to give it my best shot and I know I will not be able to do it without the strength and the talent of the Farm Bureau.”
Members heard from Purdue’s Maury Williamson who received one of Don Villwock’s president awards.
“I can thank so many people out there. Earl Butz and I figured up over 40 years I’ve given about 1,000 speeches. Now Earl said I gave 1 speech one thousand times.”
Retiring CEO of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Jerry Canada was honored with the other president award.
And IFB President Villwock outlined concerns about EPA’s RFS proposal and priorities for the upcoming Indiana legislative short session. One priority is to improve Indiana trespass laws.
“You know it doesn’t matter if you’re a grain farmer, a livestock producer or a specialty crop grower, we have all known and have witnessed an increase in trespassers on our properties in recent years. I imagine very few of you have had a grain field that doesn’t have 4-wheel drive pickup tracks going across part of them or along the side of the road as someone ventures 
out in our fields and cuts ruts across our farms. We all spend extra time at night hiding machinery so that vandals or thieves can’t have access to this machinery.”
Farm Bureau wants the same trespass protection homeowners receive. That means they will work toward elimination of the obligation to post trespass signage.
Villwock’s message about securing the future of agriculture was themed around his brand new grandson Oscar.
“In case you choose agriculture, I’m buying your first membership in Indiana Farm Bureau.”
Listen to the complete Villwock address:Don Villwock IFB 2013 address