The Indiana Green Industry is a 6.855 billion dollar agricultural enterprise. However, it is not often considered or included in the federal programs and state programs that support agriculture. One way to improve that support is to respond to the Census of Agriculture. The Census survey informs everything from crop insurance to disaster loan funding to H-2A programs, including what is supported and how much support it receives. All of this ends up tied to the Farm Bill, and helps determine funding for critically important research and outreach programs for our industry like the Specialty Crops Research Initiative and State Block Grant funding programs to address everything from Asian longhorn beetle, emerald ash borer, boxwood blight, and sudden oak death. It even plays a role the funding Land Grant Universities (each state has more than one) receive. So take some time to let your voice and economic impact be heard. If you need assistance, in most states the county or regional Cooperative Extension office or Farm Service Agency office will be glad to assist.
