INDIANAPOLIS — Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch announced Dec. 20 the appointments for the Indiana Grown Initiative Commission. These 12 members will provide guidance and direction to the staff of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) who will be responsible for connecting businesses that use or sell agricultural products such as restaurants, grocers, wholesalers, processors and farmers markets with Indiana-based producers of meat, fruits, vegetables, wine and forest products.
“The goal of this commission is to ensure we are representing the voices of the over 1,800 members of the Indiana Grown community,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I am grateful to be working side by side with Hoosiers who represent all the different areas of Indiana’s agriculture industry.”
The director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture will chair the commission and will be joined by a representative from Purdue University. The 10 commission members are:
- Natasha Cox – Farm Credit Mid-America
- Mike Hoopengardner – Indiana Farm Bureau
- Mayasari Effendi – Mayasari Tempeh
- Jeff Bricker – Ivy Tech Community College
- Nicky Nolot – Tolon Restaurant
- Rachel Boyer – Rachel’s Taste of Indiana
- Marcus Agresta – Piazza Produce
- Leigh Rowan – Ft. Wayne Farmer’s Market
- Gina Johnson – Madison Farmer’s Market
- Jennifer Rubenstein – Edible Indy
The first Indiana Grown Commission meeting will be held on Jan. 25, 2023 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on the first floor of 1 North Capital, Indianapolis, IN 46204. This meeting is open to the public.
“Indiana Grown is excited to have these commission members representing Indiana agriculture and values,” said Caroline Patrick, director of Indiana Grown. “These members are volunteering their time and skills to the commission, and we are thankful to have their expertise help develop the Indiana Grown program further.”
Learn more about Indiana Grown at indianagrown.org.
About Indiana Grown
Indiana Grown is administered by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture in partnership with the lieutenant governor’s office. The initiative educates consumers on the importance of buying Indiana Grown products, helps Indiana farmers and producers sell more products and supports Indiana businesses in their efforts to process more Indiana Grown products. Indiana Grown members and partners include farmers, producers, processors and artisans, as well as retailers, grocers, hospitals and restaurants. For more information, visit indianagrown.org.
— Indiana State Department of Agriculture
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