Farm policy issues took center stage Tuesday evening in Lafayette as Tippecanoe County Farm Bureau hosted a “Meet the Candidates Night” at Wea Creek Orchard. Over 30 local and state candidates gathered to address rural voters, with property taxes and land use topping the agenda.
Among those on hand was incumbent Republican State Senator Spencer Deery of West Lafayette, who represents Senate District 23. Deery addressed the growing burden of property taxes on Hoosiers.
“Our system doesn’t make sense. It’s tough on a lot of people,” Deery said, adding that broader cost-of-living concerns continue to pressure the agricultural community. “I don’t know that we can totally fix fertilizer prices, but we can try to make sure that farmers are positioned to be able to be successful.”
Deery also stressed the importance of farm succession planning as older producers prepare to retire.
“I’m also particularly really concerned about transitioning to the next generation of farmers,” Deery said. “Are there ways that we can make it easier to pass your farmland off to another generation of local farmers?”
His Democratic challenger, David Sanders, also of West Lafayette, focused on constituent concerns regarding the shift of rural property away from farming and toward major development projects.
“People are concerned about data centers,” Sanders said. “People are concerned in Vermillion County about eminent domain and taking their land for carbon sequestration, and I’ve worked with those communities to try to help them organize to defend their own interests.”
Sanders also highlighted his advocacy against regional water diversions.
“People are very interested in the work that I did on ‘Stop the Water Steal’ to prevent the transfer of 100 million gallons of water from aquifers associated with the Wabash River to the LEAP Lebanon project,” Sanders said.
Both candidates praised Tippecanoe County Farm Bureau for giving voters and candidates a venue to connect directly on agricultural issues.
“Farm Bureau, I think, does it better than anybody else,” Deery noted. “The way that it’s so member-driven, they’re organized, the way that the policy books are shaped—I’ve got so much respect for Farm Bureau, and they are such a vital asset and resource for me as a legislator.”
Sanders echoed the value of grassroots public debate for the community.
“I honestly believe we need more forums like this,” Sanders said. “The fact that the Farm Bureau has consistently hosted these forums is absolutely tremendous and is a great credit to the organization. I really wish there were more of them.”
Hoosiers planning to vote in the upcoming election must ensure they are registered by the Oct. 5 deadline at IndianaVoters.in.gov.
