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.