County 82: Marion

Ever since I was a little girl, my month of August has been spent at the Indiana State Fair. As a child in 4-H, I looked forward to displaying my projects at the fair. For the past eight years  as the lieutenant governor and the state’s secretary of agriculture, my role during the state fair is not the same. Of course, some things never change as I still get excited when I hear the music of the midway, smell the once-a-year food and see the crowds milling around the exhibits  

The Indiana State Fair, unlike any other attraction, provides nearly one million Hoosiers and visitors an up close educational experience into Indiana’s agriculture industry .The agricultural industry in Indiana contributes $26 billion every year to state’s economy and employs 17 percent of our workforce. The Indiana State Fair not only gives us a chance to learn about one of our state’s most important assets, it also allows us to celebrate Hoosiers inside the industry.



Lt. Governor Skillman talks to Hoosiers during the annual
pancake breakfast at the Indiana State Fair



This year I hosted the annual Celebration of Agriculture event inside the Normandy Barn. I recognized Kip Tom with the 2012 Hoosier AgriVision Award for his exemplary leadership towards moving the agriculture industry forward. We also recognized 74 families that have owned their farm for at least 100 years or more.

 The state fair brings together leaders from our commodity groups, the agriculture industry, Purdue University, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and others. We took advantage of having everyone in the same setting and hosted a meeting. This meeting allowed each sector of our agriculture industry to provide a brief update of their accomplishments and concerns. The drought was certainly a topic of conversation during the fair, and it brought national media to Indiana. I talked to FOX Business News Network in the cattle barn about our response to the drought – Watch it Here.

The 17 days of the Indiana State Fair wrapped up on August 19 and more than 853,000 people visited. Indiana truly has the greatest state fair in the country, and I am so proud Indiana agriculture was on full display for all to experience. This may be my last state fair as lieutenant governor but it’s not my last state fair.  I’m like many Hoosiers who have made going to the state fair year after year a family tradition.

Counties 80 & 81: Jasper and Newton

Indiana is the 5^th largest pork producing state in the country, which is why it’s no surprise that Fair Oaks Dairy Farm will be expanding by opening a Pig Adventure. This pig farm will double as a family-friendly education center that tourists can explore with experienced producers on hand to explain the production in detail. Belstra Milling will own and operate the live hog farm named Legacy Farm. 



Lt. Governor Skillman breaks ground on the new
Pig Adventure at Fair Oaks Dairy Farm



It was a wow moment to see more than 300 of our friends in agriculture join us at Fair Oaks for the ceremonial ground breaking. Indiana’s largest agritourism destination, Fair Oaks Farms, boosts many supporters from all over the state. When the Fair Oaks Pig Adventure opens next summer, it will help to gain tremendous ground in our ongoing efforts to keep consumers informed about the producers and products they depend on.





Did you know only farmers only make up 2 percent of Indiana’s population? This means 98 percent of Hoosiers are not directly connected to the farm. Several years ago, Fair Oaks Farms found a way to attract people to their farm for entertainment and education. They opened up their dairy farm to the public and last year attracted more than 500,000 people. Watching the live birth of a calf, cow milking, and sampling dairy foods all provide folks with a real-life farm experience.

I know the new Pig adventure at Fair Oaks will certainly provide visitors from all over the state and beyond the same quality experience. I look forward to the continued growth and education Fair Oaks gives to visitors for many more years to come.

County 79: Fulton

Indiana is a state of hard-working and selfless people. There are so many Hoosiers that go above and beyond the call of duty to help their neighbor and their community. I wanted a way to recognize those individuals so I created the Partner in Progress Award in 2007. This is the highest honor given by the lieutenant governor. This special award brought me to the small town of Akron in Fulton County to make Chad Hartzler our newest Partner in Progress.

Chad is the owner of Tic Toc Trophy Shop in Akron. His business creates trophies for all types of events, including sports teams and 4-H fair competitions. He also provided a great service to state by donating trophies to the Hoosier Rising Star program. Each year I recognize our state’s young people who have provided extraordinary projects or services to make their community a better place.

Chad’s small business success and his thoughtful donations to the Hoosier Rising Star program made him the perfect recipient for a Partner in Progress Award. A quote from Theodore Roosevelt is on the Partner in Progress Award and defines Chad’s service to his state, “What a man does for himself dies with him. What a man does for his community lives on after he’s gone.”

To watch the presentation of the Partner is Progress Award: click here

County 78: Howard

Kokomo hosted the fourth and final 2012 Advancing Women in Business Seminar last week.  I was impressed by the size of the crowd - more than 100 women ready to listen, learn and talk business. 

It’s always been one of my priorities to seek out other women and encourage them to step into leadership roles.  Whether it’s business, or politics and government, it’s always been important to encourage more women to get in the game. 



Lt. Governor Skillman talks to a Hoosier in Kokomo
at the Women in Business Seminar



During my 12 years in the Indiana Senate serving in leadership, I often tried to recruit women to run for open seats.   All too often, the highly-talented women would tell me they were not qualified.   When I talked to men about the same opportunities, to their credit, they think they were born qualified!  It’s an issue of confidence. 

But there was no lack of confidence as I listened to Penny Lee, Vice Chancellor at IU Kokomo.  She brought her daughters with her, and as she spoke about the new programs on campus, I couldn’t help thinking of the wonderful service she and her colleagues are doing for Indiana’s next generation of leaders. 

It’s more important than ever that you encourage the women around you to do their best and to be confident.  Because Indiana needs every one of us to do our part – so we can put an end to difficult economic times and take advantage of every opportunity to grow.  In Howard County, we just announced that Haynes International is moving forward with plans to expand its operations and create 40 new, high-paying jobs.  This is a company that has been part of the Kokomo community for 100 years now, and they’ve learned from experience to put faith in the workforce here. 

The young people in the audience might well be the next wave of brain power to develop companies, like Haynes, and the so many others that keep us moving forward.  It’s up to each of us to do all we can to build more opportunities like that, and then be prepared to jump on them when the time is right.  I know Kokomo’s women in business are doing just that. 

County 77: Pike

The final stage of asphalt is currently being laid down, and in just a few short months I-69 from Evansville to Crane will be opened to motorists. Along that corridor sits the City of Petersburg, and they’re looking to capitalize on the increased traffic flow right alongside their city limits. The potential for economic growth in the region brought me to Petersburg. I met with Mayor John Craig and local leaders to hear about current and future projects.

My longtime passion has been rural economic development, which is why last year I created the Stellar Communities initiative. Several of the agencies I oversee collaborate to help our smaller cities and towns fund their comprehensive projects. As a finalist this year, officials from Petersburg put together a detailed plan addressing many of their long term goals; including downtown revitalization and economic development along I-69. Petersburg now has a strategic plan in place to grow right in step with the increased traffic flow that the new interstate will bring.

Please see the video below to hear my brief remarks to local leaders during my Hoosier Crossroads Stop in Petersburg.

County 76: Spencer

When you walk in to the Chrisney Branch of the Lincoln Heritage Public Library, it is clear that something special is going on there.  Friendly staff are there to greet you and help you use the wide range of resources available – from public computers to their growing collection of books and recordings.  But this library also boasts one of the most innovative facilities in the state.  

Thanks to a Community Focus Fund grant awarded in 2007, through our Office of Community and Rural Affairs, Chrisney became home to Indiana’s first net zero library. That means the library uses solar and geothermal technology to reduce energy costs to zero.  Renewable energy has tremendously reduced operating expenses, freeing up resources in this small-town library for much more important things, like good librarians and better selection. 

I was impressed with the innovative way Chrisney leaders approached their goal of providing library services.  Thanks to their hard work and partnership with the state, they have created an outstanding asset for the entire community. 

Here is a video from my conversation with library staff. 

County 75: Greene

There are impressive renovations going on in downtown Linton.  I had the privilege of meeting local business owners and investors, Jeff and Vickie Doris, who have undertaken a wide variety of improvements to downtown properties, ranging from commercial to residential space. 



I was greeted by a group of local leaders when I stepped out onto Main Street.  After meeting Mayor John Wilkes and some of the creative minds behind these projects, we stepped through the doors of the long-vacant Cine movie theater. 



Lt. Gov. Skillman meets with business owners and property developers,
Jeff and Vickie Doris outside their Linton Family Pharmacy with
Linton Mayor John Wilkes and architect, Stan Palma.



The building had once been home to a beautiful theater, but after nearly 30 years time had taken its toll.  The building still swept down to a large stage area, but everything had been stripped down to brick and beam.  Construction is just beginning, but I could plainly see the vision the Dorises have for a 41-unit affordable senior-housing facility.  Tax credits were awarded for this project through our Housing and Community Development Authority, and as renovations continue and investors take notice, Linton will have a tremendous new asset.  I hope you’ll keep your eye out for the grand opening of the Cine Senior Apartments in the coming months. 



I know Jeff and Vickie do great work because we ended our time together looking at another one of their projects, the newly renovated home of Charlotte’s Unique Boutique.  I’ve heard a lot about this beautiful ladies’ clothing store over the years, and I was happy to see it for myself and meet Charlotte herself.  It was hard to believe we were in rural Indiana and not in some metropolitan area.  If that’s the kind of quality of what’s in store for the Cine, then we will all have a few more reasons to “like Linton,” as those famous green signs say. 

To learn more about the work of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, visit www.in.gov/ihcda.