McKinney: Innovation Key to Hoosier Ag Future

Ted McKinney is the director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Ted McKinney says if Indiana is going to be successful in growing its $31 billion ag sector, it must embrace innovation, "from before the farm gate to the consumer plate." Food and ag innovation is one of seven strategic priorities included in a recently-released, 10-year strategic plan that McKinney says provides a comprehensive roadmap for the future, including job creation. In an interview on Inside INdiana Business Television, McKinney said efforts are underway to address potential shortages in the state’s ag workforce.

According to a report from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Purdue University, more than 22,000 jobs ag-related jobs could go unfilled annually through at least 2020.

Watch the complete interview:

You can see the full strategic agriculture plan by clicking here.