Midwest Mid-Session Legislative Update: Growing Opportunities in Indiana

Since January, AFT has been planting seeds for improved agricultural policy across the Midwest. This blog is part of a three-part series spotlighting our work in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.  Read on to learn what we’ve been up to in Indiana, what we’re working on now, and an action you can take to support better food and farm policy in your state!

Indiana Leglislative Agenda

Indiana’s legislative session came to a close on April 24. This Spring provided us with a couple ‘wins’ that deserve celebration. Below are the bills AFT supported that have now been signed into law:

Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Online Portal (HB1149) - ISDA will create an agricultural online portal that serves as a centralized hub for farmers and agricultural stakeholders. The portal will:help users navigate agricultural topics and agencies, provide a single source for funding opportunities, and feature a searchable database of federal and state grants. It will also offer regulatory checklists to assist farmers exploring new markets, as well as provide data visualization tools, technical assistance resources, and links to useful websites. Additionally, the portal will include updates on farmland loss in Indiana, including a comprehensive five-year report. It will also collect public feedback on federal regulations affecting the state's rural economy. We hope that this portal will not only improve access to financial assistance but also reduce regulatory confusion and enhance information sharing for Indiana farmers.

Ground Water Emergency Response Protocol (SB28) - Indiana now has an established protocol for handing ground water emergencies related to large-scale water use. It allows owners of significant ground water withdrawal facilities to file complaints if nearby wells fail to provide normal or potable water. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) must investigate such complaints within three business days. If a significant withdrawal facility is found responsible for the failure or impairment of another well, it must provide timely and reasonable compensation to the affected party. This provides small farmers stronger protection by ensuring faster state response and compensation if their water supply is disrupted.

Prescribed Burning Framework Established (HB1557) - Indiana now has clear guidelines for conducting prescribed burns—a land management tool used to improve ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk. The bill requires a certified burn manager and a written plan to be present during burns, provides liability protections for certified practitioners, and clarifies that prescribed fire and its smoke do not constitute a legal nuisance.

Watershed Development Commission Reform (HB1126) - This legislation includes updates to the structure and operations of watershed development commissions within the Maumee River Basin aimed at improving floodplain management and streamlining project reviews.

Advocacy in Action

This session, AFT  focused its Indiana advocacy on establishing a Retired Farmer Tax Credit — a tool to help retiring farmers transition land and equipment to the next generation. In February, Governor Braun included the tax credit in his budget priorities, and Representative Culp introduced HB1191 with matching language.

Although the House Appropriations Committee removed the provision from the budget, AFT and our partners rallied support in the Senate. Thanks to those efforts, the Senate passed its version of the budget with a Beginning Farmer Tax Credit included in early April. Unfortunately, the final biennial state budget did not include a retired farmer tax credit.

AFT remains engaged and committed to this work. We are now working with partners to identify opportunities for establishing an effective, workable tax credit that helps young and beginning farmers gain access to land and equipment next legislative session.

Take Action: Be Proactive in Creating Good Food & Farm Policy

As AFT expands its advocacy into  Midwest states like Indiana, we are deeply committed to drawing on the knowledge and expertise of local farmers and partners. That’s why we’ve created the Indiana Agriculture and Conservation Collaborative — a group focused on addressing key challenges facing Hoosier farmers. This summer, the Collaborative will play a crucial role in shaping our strategic advocacy for the next legislative session. If you're passionate about proactively influencing food and farm policy in Indiana, we invite you to join this effort.

For more information, contact AFT’s Midwest Policy Manager, Claire Shipp, at [email protected].

Interested in what we’re up to in Wisconsin and Illinois?