Indiana agriculture is looking toward a future where farms aren’t just feeding people—they’re actively improving human health. And leaders across the state say two big ideas are shaping that future.
“Food is Health.” It’s a simple phrase with a powerful mission—using what we grow to prevent disease, reduce healthcare costs, and strengthen communities. Indiana researchers and producers are teaming up to develop crops with enhanced nutrition, improved digestibility, and even natural compounds that may support better long-term health.
According to Christy Wright, President and CEO of Agrinovus Indiana, “Given the assets we have here from our farmers to our startup community to the scale ups all the way up to the kind of big corporate, anchors as well as our university landscape, we have all the ingredients to bring those things together to try to catalyze collaboration, to try to, help new initiatives come to life, to bring more members into our ecosystem, to help make sure it’s thriving.”
But the other horizon is just as exciting: bio-innovation. Indiana continues to build momentum as a national hub for ag bioscience. Think seed genetics that help plants withstand extreme weather. Precision fermentation to create new proteins. Biostimulants that reduce fertilizer use. Even advancements that turn agricultural waste into new materials, fuels, and carbon-smart products.
“We already have great assets here in the bio innovation space. And interestingly, they need the same kind of scientific infrastructure, manufacturing infrastructure. So when we think about those two things, we see a lot of synergy between those and a lot of opportunity for Indiana to grow in that space.” Wright added.
So what’s next for Indiana agriculture? A future where food strengthens public health, innovation boosts productivity, and Hoosier farmers lead the way in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global economy.
