Indiana agriculture took center stage today as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited Everett Farms and Seed LLC in Lebanon ahead of her keynote address to the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. The visit, hosted by U.S. Rep. Jim Baird (R-Dist. 4), State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle), the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) and the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA), highlighted how trade and biofuels policy shape the success of Indiana’s farm economy.
Tyler Everett, Board treasurer of ICGA and owner of Everett Farms and Seed, along with his family, welcomed Rollins to his multigenerational family farm and shared the importance of market consistency for corn growers.
“With over 43 percent of Indiana’s corn going into ethanol, what happens in the biofuels space directly impacts not only my farm and my neighbor’s farm, but our entire state’s economy,” Everett said. “We encourage USDA to continue working with EPA to finalize nationwide, year-round E15 sales and ensure the program has the regulatory clarity it needs.”
During the visit, Rollins toured the farm, harvested a few rows of a cornfield in Everett’s combine, and participated in a roundtable discussion with Indiana farmers and agricultural leaders. The conversation focused on the role of trade in keeping rural economies strong and the impact of new international agreements.
Rollins shared breaking news of a recent trade development with China that includes significant soybean purchase commitments.
“Until this week, China had purchased zero, which was devastating to our soybean farmers, especially when we rely on them for 62 percent of our market,” Rollins said. “The agreement includes 12 million metric tons of soybean purchases over the next two months and at least 25 million tons annually in the coming years, plus commitments on sorghum, hardwood and the removal of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. ag products.”
Denise Scarborough, chair of ISA and a farmer from LaCrosse, emphasized how global trade directly impacts local farm profitability.
“We’re like a well-oiled machine as long as global markets are open and stable,” Scarborough said. “But uncertainty, whether from tariffs, politics or shifting regulations, hits our farms fast. We want free trade, not aid. Open markets are what keep our rural economies thriving.”
Scarborough, who also represents Indiana on the American Soybean Association Board and works as an agricultural lender, added that farmers are facing tight margins and increased volatility.
“Whether it’s a good plan or a bad plan, we just need a plan so we can move forward with confidence,” she said.
In addition to Rollins, the event drew participation from Indiana’s agricultural, state and federal leadership. U.S. Rep. Baird and members of Indiana’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Dist. 2), U.S. Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.); U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Dist. 5), U.S. Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Dist. 8) and U.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R-Dist. 6) attended, along with Dr. Scott Hutchins, USDA undersecretary for research, education and economics and retired District 8 U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon.
Representatives from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, the Indiana General Assembly and major farm organizations including ISA, ICGA, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Indiana Farm Bureau, Indiana Pork, Indiana Poultry Association and Beck’s Hybrids also participated.
The visit showcased Indiana’s leadership in agriculture and reinforced the importance of continued federal engagement on trade and energy policy to sustain farm profitability.