The AgriVision Award, now in its sixth year, is given to a Hoosier who has demonstrated exemplary leadership to maximize the potential of Indiana agriculture. Lt. Governor Becky Skillman presented the 2012 AgriVision Award to Kip Tom, Managing Member of Tom Farms in Kosciusko County, at the Celebration of Agriculture event in the Normandy Barn at the Indiana State Fair. “Kip’s vision and innovative spirit are what the AgriVision Award represents,” Skillman said. “He has led the growth of Tom Farms, taking the family business from its very conservative and traditional beginnings beginning in 1950 to an early adapter of more aggressive business principles and technologies in the industry today. Because of Kip’s vision, his family business is the leader in seed corn production and provides services globally to Monsanto and DuPont.”
He told HAT his vision for Indiana is one of continued growth and productivity, “We have the resources and the public policy to make Indiana a major player in the world market.” Tom just returned from Argentina where he said the agriculture future is much different, “They have tremendous resources, but 65% of their farmers’ gross profit is taken by the government in taxes.” In addition, he said their government is about to implement new regulations that will restrict what their farmers grow and how they farm.
A life-long resident of Kosciusko County, Indiana, Kip Tom grew up on his family’s farm in the community his ancestors homesteaded in 1837. Tom raised his own family on this same farm. Today his family’s business is a leader in agriculture production globally. Tom Farms’ seed corn production operations include those in the United States and Argentina. Tom Farms also provides products and services to various other Indiana companies such as Red Gold. Kip is on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, serving with Governor Mitch Daniels. He also serves as an advisor to the Indiana Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and is a member of the ISDA Indiana Grown program.
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