Indiana
Urban sprawl, not solar, is destroying Indiana farmland | Letters
Indiana’s farmland loss is primarily related to residential needs, not commercial scale solar.
Different kinds of homes coming with Onyx+East development in Carmel
Onyx+East to open a blend of 121 townhomes and single-family homes in Carmel.
I was happy to see Jacob Stewart’s column, “Solar belongs on rooftops, not Indiana farmland,” discuss the terrible policies set in place by the Indiana General Assembly toward rooftop solar. Rooftop solar development should be reliable, affordable, easily accessible and include transparency with the homeowner.
I was disappointed to see the column used to further the falsehood that solar farms are responsible for farmland loss. This falsehood persists because its anger is directionally correct. It is “city folk” causing the problem — not because they want solar away from them, but because we won’t build dense housing.
Firstly, Indiana did a study and found that farmland loss is primarily, and nearly completely, related to residential needs.
Secondly, the U.S. doesn’t need as much farmland as it has. We know this because, with subsidies and tax credits, farmers pay a negative tax. They receive more in state and federal funds than they pay in taxes. We are subsidizing farms that the market doesn’t need.
An easy way to see this is that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has 100,000 employees for 2 million farmers. For comparison, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which regulates all truck driving in the U.S., has 1,000 employees for 29 million truck drivers.
Thirdly, one thing the market does need is more housing units. It is so desperate for houses that it is willing to pay premium dollars for land. Such a premium that it outweighs the negative tax farmers get. They can pay this premium because the economic forces are so strong in the Indianapolis metro area that it’s worth paying more for housing due to the job opportunities.
Now, there is no reason why this housing has to take farmland. If we want to continue subsidizing farms and having more farmland than the market needs, we can do that, but this has nothing to do with solar farms and everything to do with the amount of zoning for single family homes in Marion County and the surrounding area.
If people are really worried about farmland, we ought to remove zoning regulation across the metro area and allow developers to build more duplexes and apartments. This will lead to less farmland-destroying white picket fence, suburban, single-family homes.
Greg Bright lives in Marion County, where he advocates for zoning deregulation.
INDIANAPOLIS (WNDU) – South Bend muralist Alex Ann Allen is one of three finalists to create a 40-foot mural for the new Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center in downtown Indianapolis.
Allen has worked on murals in places throughout Michiana, from South Bend to Benton Harbor, to Monticello, Indiana.
The community gets a say in the final design. A public survey is open through June 14 as organizers pick the final design.
The mural is expected to be painted in fall 2026, with the facility opening in spring 2027.
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana State Fair is hiring hundreds of seasonal workers for its 2026 run.
The fair returns August 7 through August 23. It’s closed on Mondays.
Officials are looking to fill about 800 positions. They include parking attendants, gate staff, security personnel and operations team members.
The fair is also hiring tractor shuttle operators, information booth assistants and education exhibit guides.
The 18th Annual Indiana State Fair Job Fair happens Thursday, June 4 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The event takes place inside the Agriculture/Horticulture Building at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center at 1202 E. 38th Street in Indianapolis.
Job seekers can complete applications and participate in on-site interviews. The fair says people who attend the job fair will receive priority consideration during hiring.
“Every great Fair experience starts with great people,” said Mark Anderson, Director of Human Resources at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center. “Our seasonal team helps create the energy, hospitality and memories that guests look forward to each summer.”
Anderson said the fair offers opportunities for people seeking their first job or extra income. It’s also good for those wanting to stay engaged with the community.
Applicants should bring a resume if they have one. They should also bring a positive attitude. Previous fair experience is not required.
People who can’t attend the job fair can apply in person starting June 8. The Employment Office is inside the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion.
Walk-in applications are accepted Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More information about employment opportunities and the 2026 Indiana State Fair is available at www.IndianaStateFair.com.
THORNTOWN, Ind. (WISH) — Residents of Thorntown were asked to evacuate Tuesday following an anhydrous ammonia spill.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office said the spill happened in the northwest part of rural Thorntown.
“If you are at the Old Mill Run trailer park, please evacuate,” the alert from the Boone County Sheriff’s Office said.
Anhydrous ammonia is widely used as a fertilizer and a refrigerant.
Thorntown Sugar Creek Fire Department posted to Facebook Tuesday night, saying that Thorntown Fire Department and Thorntown police are currently “on scene of an anhydrous tank leak Northwest of Thorntown.”
“It is currently settling in low areas and drifting towards town,” the post read.
TFD says if you notice “an ammonia odor,” leave the area.
“We expect a mild odor to extend to town however it is safest to leave if you start smelling it.
Anhydrous is attracted to water and low areas. If you observe a fog/cloud or strong odor immediately exit the area. If you begin experiencing any concerning health issues we have additional Witham Medics staged in town.”
TFD says that with any hazmat incident, it can evolve. Residents are asked to “be ready to leave if needed.”
Officials said if you or a loved one is experiencing breathing issues or any other symptoms, call 911 for treatment.
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