Archive for the 'Issues' Category
[Note: Carroll County's Sam Moffitt is the current President of Indiana Pork. ]
As 2011 comes to a close, Indiana Pork is undertaking an effort to plan for the future success of our members for next year and beyond. To do that effectively, we want to have a firm grasp of the issues and challenges we will face over the next five and even ten years. In an effort to ensure we understand the issues and challenges as you see them, we are embarking on a strategic planning process that will ultimately establish the goals and priorities for Indiana Pork.
These new goals and priorities will provide the framework our board of directors and staff will use to develop the programming and activities necessary to foster long-term success for the Indiana pork community.
As part of that process, we are seeking your feedback with a survey designed to capture your feedback on the important issues you feel are most important to Indiana’s pork community. The survey can be accessed at the link below.
We ask that you provide your response as promptly as possible. Your participation in this process is vital to the success of the strategic planning project. Deadline is November 28, 2011.
Please contact Indiana Pork at (317) 872-7500 if you have questions. Thanks for your participation in this important initiative.
Indiana Pork Survey
November 22, 2011 | Issues and News | No Comments »
From our friends at Indiana Farm Bureau:
Following nearly four years of discussion, new rules for confined feeding operations and CAFOs that discharge were adopted on Nov. 9 by the Water Pollution Control Board. The rules, to be enforced by IDEM, will go into effect on July 1, 2012.
The CFO rules will now require manure to be applied according to phosphorus rates and needs, in addition to the existing nitrogen rates. Additional restrictions will exist for application to frozen or snow-covered ground. In order to comply with a recent court decision, CAFOs with NPDES permits who do not discharge will be given the opportunity to transition into the CFO program by providing notice to IDEM.
According to IFB attorney Justin Schneider, “A lot of work went into shaping these rules so that they would be protective of the environment and human health while not unduly burdening livestock and poultry producers. But as always, we will want our members to let us know how the changes affect them once it is implemented.”
Information on the changes and how to comply will be available in the coming months.
November 14, 2011 | Issues and News | No Comments »
The Area Plan Commission will consider a DRAFT Zoning Ordinance for Carroll County at its next meeting on Tuesday, October 25, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in the Carroll County Courthouse Commissioner’s Room. The public is invited to hear discussion about the results of this two-year project to completely review and update Carroll County Zoning Ordinances.
Of interest to Farmers are the changes in the Agriculture District and the new Rural Residential Zoning District, which are excerpted, below.
Agriculture District Zoning
Residential District
A full “mark up” version (this is DRAFT #2 and the “mark up” compares with DRAFT #1) is available on the Carroll County Zoning website. You can also review the notes and information posted by the Steering Committee.
Carroll County Zoning Website: Carroll County Zoning Information
The Steering Committee encourages questions and comments, which may be submitted by email here: Carroll County Zoning Steering Committee
Update – October 26, 2011
The Area Plan Commissioners recommended the proposed Zoning Ordinance to the Carroll County Commissioners for adoption. The next step is a public hearing and comment, and adoption by the County Commissioners, in mid-November or early December. You can obtain a copy of the proposed Zoning Ordinance (Adoption Draft) from the Zoning Project website, or you can purchase a hard copy for less than $20 from Q Graphics in Delphi.
October 24, 2011 | Issues and News and Resources | No Comments »
The Soil and Water Conservation Service folks are planning a public input session for you to tell them what you know about the areas around Deer and Sugar Creeks. They are interested to find out how you use the waters and surrounding lands, and what concerns you have about them. Together you will think of ideas of how to improve the area. You will have an opportunity to get to talk to people who are already working to protect the waters and surrounding area and to tell us what you think.
WHEN: Wednesday October 19th 5:00-7:00 pm Dinner will be provided between 5-5:30 pm, catered by All-B-Q’s. There will be activities for children from 5:30-7:00 pm.
WHERE: 4-H Community Building (within Flora Community Park at the intersection of Fourth St. and Main St.)
WHY: You are an important part of this community. Your ideas matter.
NOTE: This process is voluntary and it will not lead to an increase of taxes or regulations. RSVP to Rhonda Hicks (Rhonda Hicks SWCDCC Email or 765-564-4480 x3) is suggested, but not required.
More information from the flyer: DeerSugarCreeks
(NOTE – the flyer includes a map showing the area served by Deer Creek and Sugar Creek)
October 12, 2011 | Education and Issues and News and Resources | No Comments »
Dear Hoosier Ag Community,
Hoosier generosity is a mainstay of our Indiana culture. We are known for our willingness to give a “Hand out and Hand Up” to our neighbors in need. Today,we are offering you an opportunity to help a fellow neighbor. As you are well aware Texas has experienced a sever, historic drought leaving them in devastating conditions. Through a very generous offer from the Indiana Motor Truck Association, the Hoosier ag community has an opportunity send Indiana Hay to our Texas friends.
If you are willing and able to donate a few hay bales (25-50), a round bale or two, whatever the quantity to send south, the members of the Indiana Motor Truck Association (IMTA) will transport it to Texas. We certainly understand the conditions in Indiana this summer have left our stocks in short supply as well. But, perhaps you have a small amount to share. If several people can spare a small amount, we can still accumulate a sizeable ‘Hay Wagon’ to send south.
Can you help? If so, please contact David Eaton, 248-761-1515 (mobile), david.eaton@meritor.com to let him know how much you can donate and where you are located. We will need to determine a convenient staging location for you to deliver the hay to be loaded.
Your response is needed quickly. The IMTA is coordinating this delivery in conjunction with their attendance at the annual American Motor Truck Association meeting in Texas. The trucks will need to depart Indiana by October 12. If you can support this effort, please let us know not later than October 7th so that we can schedule loading.
Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your consideration and please know that we understand if you are not able to help.
Sincerely,
David Eaton, IMTA board member
Shorty Whittington, IMTA board member
October 05, 2011 | Issues and Resources | No Comments »
What is Township Government? Is it important to Carroll County? In 2007, the Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform recommended the elimination of Township government. What are the options for Carroll County?
Carroll County Focus on the Future is sponsoring a public forum featuring Debbie Driskell from the Indiana Township Association, and Larry DeBoer, State and Local Government Specialist from Purdue University.
Please join the discussion on Wednesday, August 31, from 7-9 p.m. at the Carroll High School Auditorium.
FocusTwpGovtFlyer
August 23, 2011 | Education and Issues and News | No Comments »
The Carroll County Economic Development Corporation, the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and the Carroll County Focus on the Future are co-sponsoring an informational meeting about Tax Increment Financing on Monday, April 25, 2011, at the Canal Center (Delphi).
Rick Hall, from Barnes & Thornburg and Todd Samuelson from Umbaugh & Associates will be on hand to present information and answer questions about TIF districts.
As our County reaches for opportunities to fund economic development, use of TIF districts will be an important component. Citizen understanding of what TIF districts are, and how they can benefit the County is an important step in the economic development process.
TIF FLyer1
April 21, 2011 | Education and Issues and News and Resources | No Comments »
Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) voted to move forward with a proposal to establish minimum standards of care for livestock and poultry in Indiana.
Presented for the first time during the April 14 meeting, the proposal seeks to create a baseline for care build on five core principles:
- Food and water
- Shelter
- Animal disease, injury and treatment
- Animal stewardship
- Handling and transportation
BOAH veterinarians routinely assist local law enforcement agencies with determinations in cases of animal abuse and neglect, which violate Indiana cruelty laws. For the first time, these core principles provide definition to acceptable levels of care for livestock and poultry species.
“This is an issue that stirs a lot of passion and emotion in many people from different perspectives. By recognizing five core principles that apply to all Hoosier livestock and poultry producers, we feel this identifies a place of common ground to ensure all animals are cared for in the best ways possible. This is an innovative approach to the issue, and we feel this is the right direction for the state of Indiana,” said Indiana State Veterinarian Bret D. Marsh.
In 2010, the Indiana General Assembly officially tasked, by state statute, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health with developing standards of care for livestock and poultry in the state. The Board, which has been in existence in 1889, is comprised of 11 members, representing different livestock species sectors, poultry industry, companion animals and the veterinary community.
As the first reading, the Board has opened a comment period, which will end with a public hearing before Board members vote on the final version after a second reading. A copy of the proposal may be viewed online at the Board of Animal Health’s web site at: www.boah.in.gov . Comments may be submitted to the agency, during the public comment period, via email at animalhealth@boah.in.gov
April 21, 2011 | Education and Issues and News and Resources | No Comments »
A friendly reminder from Indiana Pork -
The CAFO Annual Report is due February 15.
Follow this link to the report for easy access:
IDEM CAFO Report Download
February 07, 2011 | Issues and News and Resources | No Comments »
Effective January 1, 2012, anyone who is hired to apply, handle or transport fertilizer for agricultural purposes within Indiana must become certified through the Office of the Indiana State Chemist and Seed Commissioner.
The new rule also requires certification for anyone applying manure from confined feeding operations. Certification exams are conducted at the Purdue University-based OISC, with exams available at remote testing sites starting in January.
Purdue Pesticide Programs will offer a training manual in January. “Category 14 Agricultural Fertilizer Applicator” will sell for $32 and be available through Purdue Extension’s The Education Store at The Education Store.
More information can be found at this Press Release from Purdue: New Fertilizer Rule
December 21, 2010 | Education and Issues and News and Resources | No Comments »
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