Indiana farmers are heading into the 2027 legislative session with a clear message for lawmakers: the economic pressure on agriculture is not letting up, and state policy needs to keep pace.
Indiana Farm Bureau (INFB) has unveiled its legislative priorities for the upcoming session, putting a major emphasis on agriculture and rural investment, continued property tax and assessment reform, and policies designed to strengthen Indiana’s food system.
The agenda comes as farmers continue to wrestle with high input costs, elevated land prices and tight margins. INFB leaders say those pressures make it critical for lawmakers to address both the immediate financial challenges facing farm families and the longer-term future of Indiana agriculture.
Agriculture funding takes center stage
One of INFB’s top priorities will be increasing state investment in agriculture and rural communities.
The organization points to recommendations from the Indiana Agricultural and Promotion Task Force, which highlighted the need for stronger funding for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.
INFB says additional funding is needed to recruit and retain critical personnel, including meat inspectors and veterinarians, while also supporting programs such as Indiana Grown that help farmers find new markets.
Animal health is another major concern.
The Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) will be a funding priority as emerging disease threats continue to challenge livestock producers. INFB says maintaining Indiana’s diagnostic and surveillance capabilities is essential to protecting livestock, responding quickly to disease outbreaks and safeguarding the state’s livestock industry.
But the organization’s rural agenda extends beyond agriculture.
INFB will also push for increased investment in rural healthcare, transportation infrastructure and childcare — areas the organization says are critical to strengthening rural communities and creating opportunities for the next generation to return to the farm.
“After several years of economic hardship in the ag economy, most seasoned farmers have reserves that can help them weather those storms,” said Randy Kron, INFB president. “I worry about the younger generation of farmers who haven’t had time to establish themselves yet. That’s why we’re pushing to fund programs that assist new farmers and strengthen pathways for passing the farm to future generations.”
Property taxes remain a major flashpoint
Property tax reform will again be high on Indiana Farm Bureau’s legislative agenda.
INFB says Senate Enrolled Act 1, passed during the 2025 legislative session, provided important relief but argues that additional changes are needed as farmers continue to face rising production expenses and high land values.
“The tax relief that came out of Senate Enrolled Act 1 from the 2025 legislative session was a great start to alleviate some of the economic pressures landowners were facing, but we need to finish the job,” said Katie Nelson, INFB’s executive director of public policy. “With continued hits coming from high input costs, land prices and property taxes, farmers will be lucky to break even this year. We need lasting property tax reform now.”
One of INFB’s proposals would reduce the assessed value of agricultural-use buildings by moving them from the 3% to the 2% property tax cap. The organization says that change would provide a one-third deduction for those properties.
INFB will also seek legislation to exempt the first $2 million in business personal property tax for all filers. Under the current system, the exemption is limited to businesses below the $2 million purchase-cost threshold.
The organization also wants greater oversight of the property tax assessment process, with an emphasis on accurate, consistent and transparent assessments across Indiana.
Food policy becomes another battleground
INFB is also positioning Indiana agriculture to play a larger role in the state’s food system.
With the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement generating increased attention on nutrition and food production, INFB says it will support state and federal incentive programs that make locally grown, nutrient-dense food more accessible in schools and rural communities.
At the same time, the organization says it will advocate for science-based food policies and oppose a patchwork of state-by-state regulations that could create additional challenges for farmers and food producers.
INFB will also seek expanded market opportunities for farmers while working to reduce regulatory barriers that can limit food production and sales.
“With this coming year being a longer budget session, it’s important that we prioritize the areas that really impact our members since we know they won’t be easy asks,” said Kron. “This year, we need the General Assembly to consider legislation that will protect and enhance the future for farms and rural communities to ultimately ensure safe, affordable food not just for Hoosiers but for people all over the world.”
Farmers set the agenda from the county level
INFB’s legislative priorities are developed through a grassroots policy process that begins at the local level.
All 92 county Farm Bureau organizations have the opportunity to submit policy recommendations. Those proposals are then reviewed by a resolutions committee before going before the INFB delegate session.
This year’s delegate session was held Aug. 22 and included 236 member representatives.
Following that meeting, the INFB board of directors identified the key issues the organization and its members will focus on as lawmakers return to the Statehouse.
INFB leaders and staff will get an early opportunity to make their case directly to lawmakers during the organization’s annual Organization Day Breakfast at the Statehouse on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
Once the 2027 Indiana General Assembly begins in January, Farm Bureau members will also meet with their legislators to advocate for the organization’s policy positions.
The organization will continue those discussions during the annual Indiana Ag Gathering, scheduled for Dec. 11-12 at the French Lick Springs Hotel in French Lick.
For Indiana farmers, the stakes are significant. With margins under pressure and the next generation facing growing challenges to enter and remain in agriculture, Indiana Farm Bureau is making the case that decisions made at the Statehouse in 2027 could have consequences well beyond a single legislative session — shaping the future of farms, rural communities and Indiana’s food system.
