An analysis mandated by the legislature and executed by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture has found a decline in the state's farmland. From 2010 to 2022, Indiana experienced a net reduction of 345,682 acres in farming parcels, bringing the total to just under 18 million acres. This equates to a loss of over 540 square miles of farmland, an area comparable in size to Greene County.
Concerns have been raised by state officials about the implications of this trend for Indiana's food security and agricultural future. The study was prompted by legislation in 2023, highlighting the necessity to evaluate the impact of expanding communities on agricultural operations and the balance between economic development and food supply chain sustainability.
During the same period, the state saw a conversion of over 370,000 acres of farmland for residential use, offset by approximately 328,000 acres of residential land reclassified for agriculture, culminating in a net loss of around 42,000 acres. Indiana's population growth, with an increase of more than 340,000 residents, has been cited as a factor in these land use changes.
The report also identifies a significant portion of farmland being repurposed for "other" uses, leading to a net decrease of about 47,000 acres. Despite the reduction in farmland, the production of key crops like corn and soybeans in Indiana has seen substantial increases, with corn production doubling and soybean output growing by 49% over the last decade.
Source: justthenews.com