A bill inspired by a Gary urban farming organization has passed the Indiana House and moves to Gov. Mike Braun’s desk to be turned into law.
State Sen. Mark Spencer, D-Gary, authored Senate Bill 164, which would require the Indiana Department of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study to establish urban farm microzones statewide. The department must submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the Indiana General Assembly by Dec. 1, 2027.
The legislation passed in a 87-3 vote Tuesday afternoon. Previously, it passed the Senate in a 44-4 vote and received unanimous support in its committees, according to the Indiana General Assembly website.
State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point, gave the bill’s overview during Tuesday’s House session. Microfarming is the practice of cultivating crops and raising livestock on five acres of land or less, she said.
“This bill uses microfarming to maximize limited space, sometimes using vertical gardening and other techniques to produce high-value food, herbs or flowers,” Olthoff said.
Spencer previously told the Post-Tribune that he was inspired by Faith CDC, specifically through the documentary, “Nourishing Lives: The Power of Food is Medicine,” in which he was the director. The documentary gives a deeper look into the organization’s programs and how providing access to medically tailored meals can help transform lives.
Previously, Freida Graves, director of Food is Medicine for Faith CDC, testified in support of the legislation.
Graves told the House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee that the organization has produced more than 40,000 pounds of food, most of which was donated to the food bank. The legislation’s passage would not only help Faith CDC but also create similar programs statewide.
“As a (retired) nurse, I understand the correlation between access to fresh produce and proteins and chronic disease,” Graves said. “This is why I support this legislation.”
Braun is expected to sign the legislation into law at a later date.
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
