(Indianapolis, IN) – State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) chaired the 2026 Rural Caucus meeting at the Indiana State Fair on Wednesday, August 19.
Over 120 legislators, stakeholders and agricultural leaders met in the Normandy Barn to discuss key issues impacting Indiana’s rural communities, including data centers, food safety, and structural changes to Purdue Extension and 4-H.
Gov. Mike Braun, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) also attended the event.
Braun provided an update on assistance to those impacted by the recent flood and storm damage around the state and where he thinks agriculture will be in the next few decades.
Speakers included:
- Ray Allison, State Fair Executive Director;
- Roberto Gallardo, Vice President for Engagement at Purdue;
- Ryan Hoff, Senior Director of Government Affairs at Farm Bureau;
- Brendon Baatz, Google Representative for Data Center Operations;
- Jason O’Neill, Managing Director, Policy Analytics;
- Katrina Hall, Senior Director of Policy Strategy and Advocacy, Indiana Farm Bureau;
- Dr. Amanda Deering, Professor of Produce Safety, Purdue University;
- Ed Ebert, Senior Director of Market Development for Indiana Corn and Soy;
- Angela Abbot, Associate Dean and Director of Purdue Extension; and
- Dr. Bret Marsh, Dean of Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine.
“In a state with such a big agriculture industry, it is important for legislators to meet, hear from experts, learn about how to grow the agriculture industry and address issues facing our rural communities,” Leising said. “This meeting gave us a lot of good information to use as we continue moving toward the start of the 2027 legislative session. I appreciate everyone who came to speak with us.”
The Indiana Rural Caucus meets regularly to discuss issues facing agriculture during the legislative session and once during the summer at the Indiana State Fair.
(State Senator Jean Leising press release)
