Indiana State Department of Agriculture

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) was established as a state agency by the Legislature in 2005. ISDA reports to the Lt. Governor, who also serves as Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. ISDA is also a member of the Governor's Cabinet. Major responsibilities include advocacy for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level, managing soil conservation programs, promoting economic development and agricultural innovation, serving as a regulatory ombudsman for agricultural businesses, and licensing grain firms throughout the state. VISION Indiana agriculture will be a global leader in innovation and commercialization for food, fuel and fiber production. MISSION ISDA will support growth in Indiana agriculture by serving as an advocate at the local, state and federal level; defining and nurturing economic opportunity in the food, fuel and fiber sectors; and enhancing the stewardship of natural resources on agricultural land. STRATEGIC INITIATIVES ISDA resources are devoted to nine initiatives under three strategies: - Advocacy (Outreach, Regulatory Coordination and Policy Development Initiatives): Serve as an advocate for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level. - Environmental Stewardship: Enhance the stewardship of natural resources on agricultural land in a manner that creates value-added opportunity for producers and assists agriculture stakeholders with current and future regulatory challenges. - Economic Opportunity (Hardwoods, Entrepreneurship, Livestock, International Trade and Bioenergy Initiatives): Define and nurture economic opportunity, including technology development, in the food, fuel and fiber sectors.