Counties Group Names Essay Contest Winner
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Teresa [email protected]
Kosciusko County Auditor Sue Ann Mitchell is an AIC board of directors member and organized the meeting.[[In-content Ad]]The AIC is a non-profit organization established in 1957 for the betterment of county government. The various functions of the AIC include lobbying the Indiana General Assembly on behalf of counties, serving as liaison among counties, state and federal agencies as well as providing technical assistance and training to county officials and employees.
Each year the group sponsors an essay contest. This year's theme was "How county government helps the environment."
Levi Hummel, a third-grader from Jay County, entered the district contest and won at this level. He presented his essay to the group.
Hummel was surprised to learn he won the contest state-wide, too.
Judy Anderson, of the National Association of County Officials, talked about the free prescription drug card available to members and their families.
Indiana Department of Agriculture Director Andy Miller was guest speaker.
"Agriculture is the state's key to overall growth," Miller said. "We are an agricultural state. Period. End of story.
"Agriculture is changing as fast as you can say your name. There's no better time to be involved in agriculture. There are fabulous opportunities available."
The director said more than $4 billion has been invested in agriculture in the last two years and that money has gone to small towns or small communities. He cited the Louis-Dreyfus biodiesel plant under construction outside Claypool as the best example.
The state also has transformed the town of Reynolds, population 100, into a national showcase by operating all its energy systems on agricultural resources.
"Reynolds produces 75 percent more energy than they can use," Miller said.
The Department of Agriculture has developed initiatives for economic development.
One initiative involves workshops for county officials to develop an agricultural strategic plan.
Another plan is the development of model ordinances as drafted by the Indiana Land Resource Council. One of the ordinances describes multi-tiered agriculture zones. Some of the zones allow confined livestock operations, other zones do not.
Miller said the state stands ready to provide the tools and resources for economic growth.
When asked about the ethanol industry, Miller said there were 12 facilities operating with state incentives, 18 breaking ground without state incentives, and 20 more planned.
Miller acknowledged that a total of 50 ethanol processing plants seemed like a lot. The industry has been likened to the gold rush in California (1848-1855).
"During the gold rush there were booms and there were 'busts,'" Miller said. "Without the gold rush we wouldn't have had the development in the western states. We still have to look as this as a pioneering time, as an adventure."
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Kosciusko County Auditor Sue Ann Mitchell is an AIC board of directors member and organized the meeting.[[In-content Ad]]The AIC is a non-profit organization established in 1957 for the betterment of county government. The various functions of the AIC include lobbying the Indiana General Assembly on behalf of counties, serving as liaison among counties, state and federal agencies as well as providing technical assistance and training to county officials and employees.
Each year the group sponsors an essay contest. This year's theme was "How county government helps the environment."
Levi Hummel, a third-grader from Jay County, entered the district contest and won at this level. He presented his essay to the group.
Hummel was surprised to learn he won the contest state-wide, too.
Judy Anderson, of the National Association of County Officials, talked about the free prescription drug card available to members and their families.
Indiana Department of Agriculture Director Andy Miller was guest speaker.
"Agriculture is the state's key to overall growth," Miller said. "We are an agricultural state. Period. End of story.
"Agriculture is changing as fast as you can say your name. There's no better time to be involved in agriculture. There are fabulous opportunities available."
The director said more than $4 billion has been invested in agriculture in the last two years and that money has gone to small towns or small communities. He cited the Louis-Dreyfus biodiesel plant under construction outside Claypool as the best example.
The state also has transformed the town of Reynolds, population 100, into a national showcase by operating all its energy systems on agricultural resources.
"Reynolds produces 75 percent more energy than they can use," Miller said.
The Department of Agriculture has developed initiatives for economic development.
One initiative involves workshops for county officials to develop an agricultural strategic plan.
Another plan is the development of model ordinances as drafted by the Indiana Land Resource Council. One of the ordinances describes multi-tiered agriculture zones. Some of the zones allow confined livestock operations, other zones do not.
Miller said the state stands ready to provide the tools and resources for economic growth.
When asked about the ethanol industry, Miller said there were 12 facilities operating with state incentives, 18 breaking ground without state incentives, and 20 more planned.
Miller acknowledged that a total of 50 ethanol processing plants seemed like a lot. The industry has been likened to the gold rush in California (1848-1855).
"During the gold rush there were booms and there were 'busts,'" Miller said. "Without the gold rush we wouldn't have had the development in the western states. We still have to look as this as a pioneering time, as an adventure."
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