Farmers to receive property tax relief

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Published: Saturday, 09 April 2016 18:51

INDIANAPOLIS — Tractors parked outside the Statehouse Friday (April 8) as farmers joined the governor for a ceremonial signing of bills designed to help Indiana’s agricultural economy.

The governor’s office said Senate Bill 238 will help make local soil and water conservation districts more impactful when it comes to watersheds and areas of conservation. SB 308 provides property tax relief for farmers. Gov. Mike Pence signed both pieces of legislation into law last month.

Gov. Mike Pence ceremonially signs legislation designed to help support Indiana’s agricultural economy at the Statehouse Friday. One of the laws will provide property tax relief for farmers. Photo provided by the office of Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton.

"Indiana is blessed to have a rich agricultural tradition that starts on the farm and extends to thousands of agribusinesses,” Pence said in a statement, “and these bills will help ensure the Hoosier farmers and businesses across our state receive the tax relief they deserve, and can better work together on soil conversation practices across our state.”

Ted McKinney, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, called the new laws “victories for Indiana agriculture.” He expects the new laws to make agriculture sustainable for the nearly 60,000 farming operations in the state.

The legislation goes into effect on July 1.

Report from TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.