Annual Ohio River Lock Tour Offers Farmers Insight on River Transportation
The Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) are coordinating the free educational tour again this summer.
The tour will depart from the Port of Indiana, Mt. Vernon at 2751 Bluff Rd. and travel through the John T. Meyers lock system on the Spirit of Jefferson. Participants should arrive by 9 a.m. CST, with the boat leaving the dock promptly at 9:30 a.m. CST.
“This is a unique opportunity for farmers to learn more about how the grain they grow is handled after it leaves their farms and to experience that journey first hand,” said Mike Beard, chair of ISA’s membership and policy committee and farmer from Frankfort, Ind. “The tour will highlight the importance of the waterway transportation system to Indiana’s agricultural industry, society, and economy.”
While on the tour, participants will experience the mechanics of river transportation; hear local business owners explain how they use the river; and discover some history of the area.
The tour is organized by the membership of ISA and ICGA and is sponsored by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Indiana Soybean Alliance (soybean checkoff), Kentucky Soybean Board, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, CountryMark, Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, Illinois Corn and Pioneer Hi-Bred.
“Our sponsors are allowing us to provide farmers this opportunity free of charge,” said Gary Lamie, ICGA president and farmer from West Point, Ind. “After experiencing a trip like this, it’s easier for farmers to see and support the work we, as their policy representatives, do on their behalf in educating the legislature on the importance of our river system to American agriculture.”
Lunch is included in the river tour, but space is limited to the first 200 participants. Registration can be completed online at www.indianasoybean.com/rivertour and preregistration is required.
Interested participants should be aware that boarding a boat may be rather rigorous and could be difficult for individuals with mobility problems or disabilities. All participants must be 16 years of age or older. No open-toe shoes or heels are permitted on the tour. The tour will return at approximately 2 p.m. CST.
CONTACT:
Megan Kuhn, ISA/ICGA Communications Director, 317-614-0377 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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The Indiana Soybean Alliance works to enhance the viability of Indiana soybean farmers through the effective and efficient investment of soybean checkoff funds and the development of sound policies that protect and promote the interest of Indiana soybean farmers. The ISA is working to build new markets for soybeans through the promotion of biodiesel, livestock, international marketing, new soybean uses, aquaculture, and research. ISA is led by an elected farmer board that directs investments of the soybean checkoff funds on behalf of more than 28,000 Indiana soybean farmers and promotes policies on behalf of the ISA’s 950 dues-paying members.
The ICGA board, which works with the state and federal governments to develop and promote sound policies that benefit Indiana corn farmers, consists of 15 farmer-directors who provide leadership to the organization on behalf of the nearly 600 ICGA members statewide.
This communication was NOT funded with Indiana corn or soybean checkoff dollars.