Indiana 2025 L.E.A.D. Cohort Empowers Future Ag Leaders

“Over 20 future ag leaders join Indiana’s 2025 L.E.A.D. cohort for intensive policy and leadership training.”

As we witness the transformative journey of agriculture in Indiana, we recognize the necessity for robust leadership, ongoing education, and hands-on experience for those charged with shaping our state’s farming future. Indiana Farm Bureau’s 2025 L.E.A.D. (Leadership Education Action and Development) class stands at the forefront of this movement, bringing together a dynamic cohort of members, agricultural professionals, and future leaders. Throughout the year, this select group receives immersive ag policy education, develops practical leadership skills, and learns to champion grassroots agricultural engagement.

In this comprehensive exploration, we delve deep into the structure, impact, and unique experiences of the Indiana 2025 L.E.A.D. cohort. We highlight the ways this program empowers ag professionals to grow as leaders, expand their networks, and spark change across the state’s vibrant agricultural sector. Whether you’re an aspiring agriculturalist, a policy enthusiast, or a dedicated member of the Indiana farming community, the insights herein will inspire and inform your own journey.

About Indiana Farm Bureau’s L.E.A.D. Program: Cultivating Future Agricultural Leaders

For decades, the Indiana Farm Bureau has championed the cause of agricultural advocacy, policy, and leadership. At the heart of this commitment is the annual L.E.A.D. program, which recognizes that robust agriculture leadership skills are critical to advancing farm interests at every level—local, state, and national. In 2025, our cohort comprises a diverse group of individuals, highlighted by Chelsea Poe, the executive director of education and engagement, who guides participants through an action-packed curriculum designed to blend policy development, real-world experience, and intergenerational learning.

• The L.E.A.D. class is open to members with a drive for growth—regardless of age, ensuring that our program draws strength from multiple generations of knowledge and experience.
• This year’s participants will build their understanding of Indiana agriculture policy from the grassroots up, ultimately contributing to a comprehensive policy book that reflects both tradition and innovation.
• Practical workshops, legislative visits, and collaborative community projects form the backbone of our efforts to create informed, confident advocates for change in the agricultural industry.

Key Pillars of the L.E.A.D. Program

1. Education: Targeted workshops, structured learning modules, and exposure to the real world of agricultural policy and governance.
2. Action: Hands-on experiences, from statehouse visits to grassroots engagement initiatives, that foster direct involvement in shaping state agricultural issues for 2025 and beyond.
3. Development: Leadership and communication skill-building, mentorship, and opportunities to develop professional networks in Indiana’s ag sector.

Indiana Agriculture Policy: 2025 Challenges & Opportunities

In 2025, Indiana’s agriculture landscape is shaped by the dual forces of tradition and modern innovation. Our L.E.A.D. program equips participants to understand and influence the policies that govern our farms, food systems, and rural communities. The curriculum focuses on areas with the most pressing relevance to our state, from commodity regulation and environmental policy to farm succession and emerging technologies.

Key Indiana agriculture policy topics covered:

• Agricultural sustainability: Balancing productivity with environmental stewardship through state-supported initiatives—including carbon footprint tracking and resource optimization.
• Farm profitability: Examining the role of government incentives, risk management (including crop insurance), and market development for Indiana farms.
  Learn how Farmonaut’s crop loan and insurance verification tools help secure transparent, satellite-verified farm data for better financial decision-making.
• Land use and preservation: Engaging in discussions on zoning, rural development, and the preservation of Indiana’s arable land, all crucial to agricultural longevity.
• Innovation in farm management: Adapting to rapid technological change with solutions like AI, machine learning, and satellite imagery.
  Check out Farmonaut’s scalable large-scale farm management platform for optimizing multiple farm operations efficiently.

By examining these issues and their real-world impact, our cohort is well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing evolution of Indiana agriculture.

Who Shapes Indiana Ag Policy?

Policy development is both a grassroots and a legislative process. Participants in L.E.A.D. spend considerable time engaging with:

• Farm Bureau Members—The grassroots force behind policy resolutions.
• Legislators and Statehouse officials—Policy implementation and advocacy at the state level.
• Local governments and agencies—Impacting zoning, land use, infrastructure, water management, environmental regulation, and more.

Through hands-on experience and continuous learning, our cohort moves from policy novices to actionable change agents for Indiana agriculture policy.

Education & Agricultural Leadership Development in Indiana

Agricultural leadership development is a central objective of our L.E.A.D. program. We believe that effective leaders don’t simply happen—they are cultivated over time, nurtured through formal training, peer learning, and real-world challenges. This year, our class is uniquely positioned to broaden its horizons across a wide demographic and experience spectrum.

• No age limit: We welcome young professionals, multi-generational farm families, and seasoned advocates, reflecting the diversity and depth of Indiana’s agricultural industry.
• Peer-to-peer learning: Members leverage their unique backgrounds, learning from one another and amplifying the collective strength of our cohort.
• Practical skills: Communication, advocacy, critical thinking, and strategic planning—core abilities essential for influence in the statehouse, local governments, and everyday farm management.

Why Is Grassroots Engagement Essential?

Change in Indiana agriculture must start from the soil up. Our hands-on approach to ag policy education programs encourages every member to become a proactive problem solver who can work collaboratively with local and state decision-makers. We train participants to craft compelling narratives, advocate for constructive change, and serve as bridges between the farm and the legislature.

Hands-On Ag Policy Education: Inside the 2025 L.E.A.D. Cohort Experience

The L.E.A.D. class of 2025 is more than just a yearlong seminar. Our curriculum is built on hands-on experience, making our cohort’s journey a unique agriculture policy cohort experience. We explore every layer of policy development, from the drafting room to the legislative floor.

• Participants travel the state, meeting legislators at the statehouse, engaging with local governments, and learning directly from seasoned industry professionals.
• Workshops teach the art and science of writing position statements, debating policy issues, and building consensus—fundamental skills for real-world agricultural advocacy.
• Our grassroots focus ensures that cohort members understand how local and state policies affect the daily operations and long-term prospects of Indiana farms.

How Policy Is Developed—From Grassroots to Statehouse

1. Local Governments: Members examine zoning laws, water rights, infrastructure investments, and conservation programs. These firsthand lessons reveal the local government impact on agriculture and underscore the importance of civic participation.
2. Statehouse Visits: The cohort meets with state legislators, observing the legislative process, committee hearings, and debates affecting agricultural interests. This knowledge empowers future leaders to confidently advocate for change at the state level.
3. Policy Book Development: Our class helps develop a policy book—an evolving record of issues, positions, and recommended solutions that shape the Bureau’s legislative agenda.

These activities offer a true grassroots agricultural engagement experience, equipping each member with the knowledge to advocate, connect, and lead in their local communities and beyond.

Grassroots Agricultural Engagement & Community Impact

Our program’s secret to success lies in empowering grassroots action. We immerse future agricultural leaders in practical projects, community roundtables, school partnerships, and non-profit initiatives. Cohort members actively participate in shaping public understanding and awareness of critical state agricultural issues for 2025.

• Advocacy events: Participants host and attend public forums for discussing topics like water management, sustainable practices, and access to agricultural technology. These events foster a feedback loop between the farm community and policymakers.
• Community Projects: Members lead campaigns—such as soil health education initiatives or local food system development—impacting both the environment and Indiana families.
• Policy Outreach: Our efforts enhance not just the voice of Indiana’s agricultural professionals, but their ability to mobilize new advocates, especially among youth and underserved rural groups.

Every action helps achieve our mission: to develop, grow, and connect the next generation of ag leaders with actionable tools and real experience to shape Indiana policy and agriculture’s future.

Understanding Local Government Impact on Agriculture

The work of local governments is pivotal to Indiana agriculture. Rules and ordinances are written at the local level, affecting everything from property taxes and road maintenance to drainage infrastructure and soil conservation. Our L.E.A.D. program trains members to:

• Engage with local leaders on pressing issues like farmland preservation, rural broadband, and rural healthcare access.
• Participate in public meetings, learning how policy positions are debated and decided that directly impact Indiana’s agricultural sector.
• Build coalitions with community stakeholders to ensure agricultural priorities are heard by decision-makers at every level of government.

Developing Future Ag Leaders: Building Networks and Skills

Developing future ag leaders is about more than acquiring knowledge. It’s about creating communities of practice—agricultural professional networks—where new relationships, mentorship, and collaboration thrive. Our L.E.A.D. cohort, united by hands-on experience and shared purpose, leaves each member with:

• Expanded professional and peer networks across Indiana’s farm, government, and industry sectors.
• Renewed confidence to represent the interests of agriculture at public hearings and policy forums.
• Leadership experience that opens doors to new career and service opportunities.
• In-depth insights into navigating legislative processes, building strategic alliances, and influencing change from the grassroots up.

Program Highlights & Impact Overview

Farmonaut: Supporting Indiana’s Agricultural Professionals

Farmonaut is pioneering the future of farm management in Indiana and beyond. Our platform delivers advanced, satellite-based farm management solutions—empowering ag professionals, cohort members, and local leaders with data-driven insights to support state agricultural issues 2025, sustainability, and precision resource use.

• Satellite-Based Crop Health Monitoring: Real-time observation of crop health, including NDVI, soil moisture, and other critical metrics, helps optimize water, fertilizer, and pesticide application while reducing waste and maximizing yields.
• Jeevn AI Advisory System: Delivers personalized, real-time advice, micro-weather forecasts, and expert crop management strategies, ensuring that even small and medium-sized Indiana farms can benefit from world-class ag technology.
• Blockchain-Based Product Traceability: Track crops from field to fork—traceability tools build transparency, boost Indiana brands, and open doors to new markets by creating secure, trusted records for food, fiber, and other agricultural goods.
• Fleet & Resource Management: Monitor and optimize farm machinery and logistics, ensuring cost-efficiency, lower emissions, and improved safety.
• Carbon Footprinting: Measure, manage, and reduce farm emissions to comply with evolving environmental standards and create more sustainable Indiana farms.

Our mission is simple: to democratize access to precision agriculture, supporting everyone from individual Indiana farmers to large-scale agribusinesses and government agencies.

“Indiana agriculture supports 94,000 farms—L.E.A.D. participants gain firsthand experience shaping policy for this vital sector.”

Modern Farm Management Solutions with Farmonaut

As Indiana’s agricultural industry enters a new era, our professionals require both hands-on policy education and powerful digital tools. Here’s how Farmonaut’s integrated suite supports cohort members, L.E.A.D. programs, and all agricultural entrepreneurs:

• Mobile Solutions: Farmonaut is available wherever you are—on Android, iOS, and web.
  Explore Farmonaut Web App
  Android App
  iOS App
• Custom API Access: Integrate satellite and weather data into your own systems, research, or government monitoring.
  Farmonaut API &
  Developer Docs
• Scalable Farm Management: Leverage powerful features for large-scale farm management and timberland oversight.
• Expert Advisory: Receive AI-driven alerts and actionable recommendations through our Jeevn AI Advisory System—reduce crop loss and maximize farm profitability.
• Supply Chain Trust: Build customer and consumer trust with secure traceability for all farm products.

These features make Farmonaut an essential companion for any member of the Indiana L.E.A.D. program or ag professional seeking to bridge tradition with technology in today’s rapidly evolving industry.

How to Get Started: Apps & API Access

Indiana’s future ag leaders can instantly access Farmonaut’s solutions across multiple channels:

• Web Application: Manage, track, and analyze your fields directly from your browser. Launch the Web App.
• Android & iOS Apps: Monitor your crops and access AI-based recommendations on the go. Google Play | App Store
• API: Interested in connecting data streams or integrating directly into existing ag or research software? Farmonaut API | Developer Documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: The Path Ahead for Agriculture Leadership in Indiana

The Indiana 2025 L.E.A.D. cohort stands as a beacon for the future of not only our state’s agricultural policy, but also for the wider movement to grow, support, and empower the next generation of leaders in America’s heartland. Through dedicated education, immersive experience, and broad-based policy engagement, our members are well-equipped to address today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.

As we journey forward, programs like L.E.A.D.—coupled with transformative technologies like Farmonaut—are essential to sustaining, improving, and reimagining the way we work, learn, and lead across Indiana’s farms and communities.

Together, we shape Indiana’s agricultural future—with knowledge, action, and innovation at our side.

Ready to be part of the change? Download Farmonaut, connect with a cohort, or join local policy actions today.