Rep. Melanie Wright working to promote and grow Indiana’s agricultural community

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Melanie Wright (D-Yorktown) is fighting for the agricultural community by focusing on loan forgiveness for farmers and tax breaks for people who manufacture aquaponic systems.

“I have heard that the average age for farmers is 58, even though my father insists it’s 60,” said Wright. “I think anything we can do to get the average age of farmers down is really going to help us and speaks to our Hoosier heritage. I would like to see us do more to encourage young people to explore this way of life.”

Wright is promoting loan forgiveness because she says, “It is very difficult for farmers when they graduate to try to acquire acreage and equipment to start a farm.”

That is why she has authored House Bill 1581 to establish an Indiana Farmer Student Loan Forgiveness Program, administered by the Commission for Higher Education, to allow future farmers to get up to $10,000 to be used towards their outstanding loans.

“This is important because student loan debt is one of the largest challenges for college graduates. Right now, it’s at about $29,000 and climbing,” Wright said.

Wright hopes this legislation will encourage and promote agribusiness in Indiana.

Wright is also introducing House Bill 1583, which will allow tax breaks to a person who decides to start a company that manufactures aquaponic systems.

This system is a combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponic (the soil for growing plants) where the fish and plants grow together with the microbes (nitrifying bacteria) and red worms. This combination capitalizes on the benefits while eliminating most of the hassles of traditional gardening.

This system is also easy to maintain and allows you to garden without growing weeds and straining your back. It also reuses its own resources, and watering is integral, meaning you can never water it too much or too little. Fertilizing is also integral with the aquaponic system.

“I am interested in this new technology where everything is self-sufficient and sustainable. It is amazing. We actually have one is Daleville where I teach,” said Wright.

Wright is also the ranking minority member on the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. Last session, she supported legislation that addressed farmers’ concerns with rising property taxes, since crops have trended downward. With a proposed solution of freezing soil productivity factors at levels established in 2011, Wright said, “This is a positive step in offering farmers some needed relief.”