AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

Southeast Region — February 26, 2007

BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY CONTACT INFORMATION
Corey Carr
Columbus Economic
Development
(812) 378-7300 ext. 231
ccarr@columbusin.org
COUNTY ACTION
TEAM MEMBERS
Dan Arnholt
Joe Bush
Corey Carr
Mike Ferree
Dan Fleming
Bill Gelfius
Jack Hess
Bill Lentz
Lynn Lucas
Don Meier
Greg Patterson
Don Strietelmeir
Jeff Washburn
COUNTY STRATEGIES AND TACTICS
DIVERSIFICATION
Form and launch a (Chamber of Commerce) Agriculture Business
Cluster.
• Develop public relations campaign and take message to area schools – partner with Farm Bureau and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s Division of
Soil Conservation
• Promote agribusiness in the community
• Investigate development of a commercial kitchen
• Develop brand outlet (i.e. Convention & Visitors Bureau)
• Identify collaborative agritourism opportunities
• Research the development of a consolidated farmers’ market
FOOD PROCESSING
Leverage Bartholomew County’s advantage of location, infrastructure
and agribusiness expertise to attract and/or expand the food
processing sector.
• Investigate development opportunity for agriculture park
• Target school systems as market for locally-grown products
• Assemble information for Web site and brochures
• Identify markets for crops and by-products
BIOENERGY
Identify opportunities for bioenergy plants and markets for byproducts
of bioenergy plants.
• Identify value-added processing opportunities
• Develop targeted recruitment plan
• Pursue rail infrastructure development
• Leverage synergies of by-products and users


DEARBORN COUNTY CONTACT INFORMATION
Jim West
LEDO
(812) 537-0814
jwest@dearborncountyedi.com
COUNTY ACTION
TEAM MEMBERS
Rita Cutter
Brad Dawson
Mike Heffelmire
Nick Held
Jeff Hughes
Mike Kohlsdorf
John Kruse
Ken Lane
Bryan Messmore
Mike Rozow
Vickie Smith
Jan Uhlmanseick
Kris Vance
Jim West
COUNTY STRATEGIES AND TACTICS
DIVERSIFICATION
Reconvene agriculture council and populate with additional
economic development partners.
• Conduct situational analysis of status of agriculture and economic value of agriculture
• Develop clear definitions for farms and agriculture
• Raise agriculture profile in community via marketing and communication
• Market Purdue’s “Ways to Grow” program and specialty crops
• Identify sources for updated agriculture statistics
• Leverage the new and growing winery businesses as part of agriculture roundtable
and agritourism efforts
FOOD PROCESSING
Identify crops and/or potential resources in the region for food
processing and other production facilities to maximize job creation
and return on investment.
• Collaborate with current RC&D feasibility study
• Leverage Seagrams facility and workforce for future food processing opportunities for
expansion
• Target food processing for local industrial parks
• Partner with economic development and Department of Agriculture for recruitment of
USDA meat processing plant
• Target new uses and users for distiller’s grain
BIOENERGY
Determine the county’s competitive advantage for local/regional
bioenergy facility.
• Research requirements for bioenergy facilities
• Identify markets for distiller’s grain
• Identify infrastructure requirements and potential funding
• Determine opportunities for cellulosic ethanol plant
• Work with AEP for value-added opportunities that could use hot water from the power
plants
• Partner with fuel dealers to identify locations for alternative fuel pumps

Development Initiative
DECATUR COUNTY CONTACT INFORMATION
Vicki Kellerman
LEDO
(812) 222-2520
vkellerman@edcgdc.com
COUNTY ACTION
TEAM MEMBERS
Matt Ackerman
Albert Armand
Erica Bright
Gary Campbell
Bob Dawson
Roger DuMond
Cleo Duncan
Steve Freeman
Wanda Heath
Jean Johannigman
Vicki Kellerman
Tony Marsh
Jon Martin
Melanie Maxwell
David Miers
David Neuman
Darrell Nicholson
Gary Reding
Brad Reed
George Reiger
John Richards
Bryan Robbins
Merrill Smith
Jennifer Sturges
Bob White
Dan Wilson
Kathleen Weissenberger
COUNTY STRATEGIES AND TACTICS
DIVERSIFICATION
Develop a consistent marketing plan to include agriculture as an
industry in all communications and incorporate facts on jobs,
investments and impact on the economy.
• Partner with ISDA on newspaper inserts
• Market Ag Day
• Develop packet of agriculture information for new residents
• Increase participation of agriculture representatives in career fairs
• Grow FFA opportunities
• Adopt and market Agriculture Certificate for zoning
• Expand Agriculture Committee and add AEDI participants
LIVESTOCK INTEGRATION/BIOENERGY
Conduct feasibility study for one, central, well-structured alternative
energy plant.
• Develop list of animal farmers in Decatur County
• Determine the energy flow (methane)
• Partner with ISDA and the Office of Energy and Defense Development
(OEDD)
• Identify grant resources
• Complete pre-feasibility study
HARDWOODS
Develop communications plans for modern hardwoods agriculture.
• Identify markets for wood waste and communicate to area hardwoods growers
and loggers
• Develop forums and programs for discussion of hardwood values and market
opportunities
• Communicate the status of the ash borer in the area and provide regular updates
• Partner with the Soil and Water Conservation office on a field day/small timber
day


FRANKLIN COUNTY CONTACT INFORMATION
Rene Stivers
Franklin County
Development Corporation
(765) 647-5340
renestiversfced@franklin county.in.gov
Greg Orschell
Franklin County Farm Bureau
(765) 647-1221
gorschel@visteon.com
COUNTY ACTION
TEAM MEMBERS
Roger Bommer
Daryl Drake
Louis Egbert
John Estridge
Calvin Finch
Larry Franzman
Darrell Harvey
Maurice Kaiser
Dennis Kolb
Randy Kolb
Mike Kolhsdorf
Greg Kunkel
Jean Leising
Gene Meyer
Mark Oglesby
Greg Orschell
Mindy Orschell
Kermit Paris
Richard Placke
Angie Riffle
Eric Roberts
Doug Schwab
Mike Schwab
Doug Singer
Steve Sourbeer
Rene Stivers
Frank Thompson
Don Vonder Meulen
Philip Wendel
Terry Wilds
Franklin County Commissioners
Franklin County Council
COUNTY STRATEGIES AND TACTICS
DIVERSIFICATION
Provide resources and support needed to initiate and grow food.
• Conduct needs assessment to identify potential markets
• Build education of available markets
• Develop mentoring network database
• Create business planning/financial support/resources through local leaders
• Educate potential strategic partners and networks
REGULATORY
Make agriculture and development compatible in Franklin County.
• Make zoning user friendly
• Educate public about land use
• Conduct annual review of zoning meeting
• Give strong consideration for cluster subdivision
HARDWOODS
Promote the education and proper management of our county woodlands.
• Educate landowners about hardwoods through hosting Timber Field Day
• Have a booth at a home show
• Work with Ag Day and Antique Tractor Show
• Educate public about ag as a whole
LIVESTOCK INTEGRATION
Integrate livestock production into Franklin County to be profitable and
accepted in the county.
• Educate youth through schools, talk to school board to establish classroom education
about agriculture
• Find sponsors to organize farm/city banquet
• Promote farm/city banquet
• Create letters to the editor by livestock producers
• Develop Franklin County Web site
• Promote livestock through Franklin County Economic Development
Agricultural Economic Development Initiative

JACKSON COUNTY CONTACT INFORMATION
Richard Beckort
Purdue Extension
(812) 358-6101
rbeckort@purdue.edu
COUNTY ACTION
TEAM MEMBERS
Bill Bailey
Richard Beckort
Gary Callaway
Laura Fribley
Dr. Bob Gillespie
David Gottbrath
Thelma Greathouse
Thomas Hallow
Doug Hanner
Trina Hanner
Wanda Heath
Mark Isaacs
Tom Kabrich
Doris Kovener
Joe Miller
Jonathon Pollert
Don Shoemaker
Tom Snyder
Tina Stark
Brian Thompson
Richard Whitesell
Mary Winburn
Brian Wolka
Kathleen Weissenberger

STRATEGIES AND TACTICS
REGULATORY STANDARDS
Encourage agriculture representatives and farmers to participate in the
development of zoning ordinances and promotion of agriculture.
• Establish collaborative, county-wide agriculture roundtable/committee
• Coordinate with Jackson County planning officials to create balance between
comprehensive plan and updated zoning for agriculture
• Demonstrate flooding impact on crops to state and regional entities
• Provide education forums, field trips and materials about agriculture, animals, farms
and agribusiness
• Arrange for tours of grain elevators, confined animal feeding operations, etc. for local
elected officials and plan commission members
DIVERSIFICATION
Develop, promote and maximize agriculture assets of Jackson County.
• Identify new crop opportunities including specialized grains
• Continue development of a regional farmers’ market with value-added products and
regional audience
• Investigate utilization of school kitchens as commercial kitchens for food processing
and value-added products
• Partner with other agencies including school corporations and FFA to raise
awareness of agricultural careers
• Partner with neighboring counties in recruitment of USDA inspection/grading for meat
processing facility
HARDWOODS
Identify and communicate Best Practice Management for modern
hardwoods agriculture.
• Host a forum with state forester, Jeff Settle and Mike Seidl to share information
about available resources for landowners with hardwoods
• Identify markets for wood waste
• Establish Web site and marketing materials for hardwood agriculture in partnership
with ISDA
• Identify new hardwood crop opportunities
• Create education and awareness campaign for modern hardwoods agriculture


JENNINGS COUNTY CONTACT INFORMATION
Richard Adrian
Producer
(812) 346-2123
rladrian@seidata.com
Ken Salkeld
Purdue Extension
(812) 352-3033
ksalkeld@purdue.edu
COUNTY ACTION
TEAM MEMBERS
Richard Adrian
Joe Diekoff
Max Oogle
Brad Ponsler
Ken Salkeld



COUNTY STRATEGIES AND TACTICS
EDUCATION
Educate the public about opportunities in
agriculture.
• Develop and implement programs in elementary and middle
schools to develop skills and knowledge about agricultural
opportunities. (Could include materials in the following
classes/subjects: math, economics, business, chemistry,
biology, science, social studies, consumer and family
science, etc.)
• Conduct county research study on what is important in
promoting agriculture
• Evaluate and create more ways to market and educate
people regarding the direct market program



JEFFERSON COUNTY CONTACT INFORMATION
Brad Ponsler
Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc.
(812) 592-2121
bponsler@infarmbureau.org
Lonnie Mason
Purdue Extension
(812) 265-4769
lmason1@purdue.edu
COUNTY ACTION
TEAM MEMBERS
Dave Adams
Julie Berry
Dennis Bowyer
Greg Brawner
Greg Bremer
Susan Craig
Lowell Day
Dave Ferguson
Laura Fribley
Mark Goley
Jerry Hay
Steve Kleopfer
Bob Kuppler
Lonnie Mason
Corey Murphy
Tom Pietrykowski
Brad Ponsler
Norbert Schafer
Mike Schafer
Greg Schneider
Linda Wood




COUNTY STRATEGIES AND TACTICS
AG/URBAN EDUCATION
Positively educate and increase awareness of agriculture/related
issues to the citizens and elected officials of Jefferson County by
providing credible and correct information.
• Use FFA/4-H to promote Food for America program in classrooms.
• Promote the Hoosier Homestead Award program
• Produce a monthly “Spotlight on Agriculture” piece that promotes local
agriculture business, producers, and agriculture supporters in collaboration
with local media.
• Organize a clearinghouse of credible, reliable agriculture related information
similar to the database being built by Region 6/Eastern Indiana Development
District (EIDD).
DIVERSIFICATION
Lead the region in identifying diversification strategies that enhance
the economic viability of producers of different sizes and areas of
production.
• ID and coordinate working models of success through market research and
through exploring and contacting groups such as Jennings County Growers/
Hoosier Hills Meat Coop.
• Organize a Jefferson County Agriculture Roundtable to locate potential
markets for locally-produced products and to serve as a support network for
all areas of agriculture.
• Encourage local producers to participate in the new ISDA market maker
HARDWOODS
Educate woodland owners in the economic value of woodlots and
promote proper management of assets.
• Continue to keep hardwoods and local needs associated with hardwoods on
the agenda of the working group. As other tactics are accomplished, develop
tactics for hardwoods


OHIO COUNTY CONTACT INFORMATION
Michele Conyer
Purdue Extension
(812) 438-369
Mconyer@purdue.edu
Mike Kohlsdorf
USDA
(812) 926-2406
Mike.kohlsdorf@in.usda.gov
COUNTY ACTION
TEAM MEMBERS
Mike Andrew
Michele Conyer
Sue Fisher
Howard Fletcher
Mike Kohlsdorf
Brad Ponsler
Beth Terrell
Gene Weaver
COUNTY STRATEGIES AND TACTICS
REGULATORY
Determine the capability to produce alternative animal products
in Ohio County.
• Partner and work cooperatively with neighboring counties on a meat
processing facility
• Investigate a cost share program for fencing
• Provide educational opportunities about herd health and pasture
management through partners including Purdue Extension, Soil and
Water Conservation District (SWCD), Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Laughery Valley
Corporation
REGULATORY (2)
Develop user-friendly process for small scale producers to get
into business.
• Support state and federal financing programs for beginning farmers
• Develop public relations materials
• Discuss agriculture zoning with local planning and elected officials
CONSERVATION/HARDWOODS
Establish coalition of local officials, farmers and economic
development partners to collect information about conservation
and hardwoods development and communicate the information
throughout Ohio County.
• Pull together and set meeting with education, soil conservation and
economic development
• Identify available information on Web sites
• Pursue an Ohio County office for soil and water conservation with a
contact person
• Host state forester to evaluate and develop a managed harvest plan
Southeast Region — February 26, 2007
Agricultural Economic Development Initiative

RIPLEY COUNTY CONTACT INFORMATION
Brad Buening
Ripley County Economic
Development Corporation
(812) 689-4344
ripleyed@seidata.com
Jerry and Rose Gauck
Producers
(812) 654-3710
COUNTY ACTION
TEAM MEMBERS
Paul Anderson
Jim Benham
Brad Buening
Duane Drockelman
Cleo Duncan
Leonard Eckstein
Bea Fry
Gerald Gauck
Rose Gauck
Irvin Harmeyer
Larry Huffmeyer
Pat McKettrick
Owen Menchhofer
David Osborne
Becky Reatherford
Robert Schickel
Tim Schwipps
COUNTY STRATEGIES AND TACTICS
AGRICULTURE INTEGRATION
Encourage interactive practices that positively promote
the image of agriculture in Ripley County.
• Support agriculturists and “ag under fire” as they encounter zoning,
planning and potential public disapproval
• Communicate to general public where their food comes from through
cool and fun methods such as media columns and community events
• Educate woodlot owners on the value of their product through a
targeted piece for heirs and coordinate a county forestry/field day
DIVERSIFICATION
Market and increase sales of Ripley County grown and
processed value-added products.
• Conduct technical assessment of suitable products produced from
Ripley County
• Identify potential niche markets through consumer and business
survey
• Establish framework for “How to Build a Market” (best practices)
FOOD PROCESSING
Promote availability of local-grown products to Ripley
County citizens.
• Secure funds to update current processing equipment in county for
increased productivity
• Secure facilities to chill and preserve produce
• Promote current local product availability through advertising in local
media
Southeast Region — February 26, 2007
Agricultural Economic Development Initiative

SWITZERLAND COUNTY CONTACT INFORMATION
Nathan Crane
Purdue Extension
(812) 427-3152
nrcrane@purdue.edu
Jon Bond
Switzerland County
Economic Development
Corporation
(812) 427-9100
jcbond@switzerlandusa.com
COUNTY ACTION
TEAM MEMBERS
Vicki Althoff
David Attaway
KC Banta
Erica Bright
Jim Cole
Bill Cordes
Steve Crabtree
Greg Curlin
John Keeton
Ruth Lohide
Angie Satterfield
John Schroer
COUNTY STRATEGIES AND TACTICS
DIVERSIFICATION
Identify and pursue present and future financially viable alternative
agriculture opportunities, products and services while retaining the
uniqueness of Switzerland County.
• Increase available resources – financial, literacy and networking
• Conduct a feasibility study to locate markets for local products and
research if the public wants the product.
• Establish an “Agriculture Welcome Wagon” to improve public relations
of agriculture in county
• Identify organic producers to share information and educate potential
interested producers
• Conduct a land use survey – do you want people or animals?
FOOD PROCESSING
Attract more local producers of small livestock, meat, poultry and
aquaculture by securing funding for a processing facility and
support resources.
• Promote greater use of Venture Out commercial kitchen
• Start a Market Mentors marketing program
• Establish an ag literacy resource center for potential growers
• Market local products and services through Market Maker
• Establish a restaurant/producers partners database
• Utilize results of USDA funded Small Animal Processing Viability
study
Introduce the Switzerland County Agriculture Economic
Development plan to the citizens, elected officials and other
interested parties at the FFA Community Breakfast on April 21, 2007.