Leading issues surrounding agriculture and the environment.
The Schroeder Ag Blog addresses issues facing farmers, ranchers, and businesses involved with crops, livestock, dairy, and meat production.
Two recent Indiana Supreme Court cases shed light on how the utility regulatory commission could, in the future, decide that county solar zoning ordinances are unreasonable and therefore void.
Read MoreIn a recent zoning dispute, an Indiana judge ruled that tacos are legally sandwiches.
Read MoreIn the Midwest, we’ve historically had more than enough water for everyone. This usually meant a hands off approach to water regulation. But 2024 may be the year that changes the status quo.
Read MoreBrianna counts down the top stories of 2022 and looks ahead to 2023.
Read MoreHere in Indiana, the fight against livestock and solar farms seemed to have moved to the county level. Landowners can do a few things to improve their chances of obtaining the necessary county zoning approval for a new project.
Read MoreI recently presented at the Indiana Farm Bureau’s first-ever zoning school and discussed three “hot zoning topics.” Three issues came to mind: solar ordinances, moratoria, and spite structures.
Read MoreAgriculture, it seems, has a zoning problem. On top of the various state or federal permits a farm or agribusiness may be required to obtain before starting construction, local zoning ordinances can create yet another layer of red tape.
Read MoreSolar farms are the latest and hottest kid on the block when it comes to renewable energy in the midwest. This post addresses local government considerations as counties and cities welcome solar power.
Read MoreFarmers—urban, indoor, or otherwise—should keep local zoning in mind when considering whether to start or expand a farm. Zoning presents a handful of potential issues.
Read MorePlanning and zoning seems, at least at first, like a purely local issue. This idea is called Home Rule. But in most states, including here in Indiana, state (and federal) statutes limit a local government’s power.
Read MoreThe Indiana Court of Appeals just issued an opinion holding that a neighbor did not have “standing” to appeal variances because he did not show he was “aggrieved.” This case could be important for farmers whose neighbors want to appeal a zoning approval.
Read MoreRecently we've seen a few counties consider blocking livestock development. But barring the construction of of livestock farms in rural areas often is legally suspect.
Read MoreOn January 16, 2018, the Indiana Court of Appeals upheld a county decision to allow a dairy to build a new farm in rural Rush County. The Court rejected arguments made by a nearby camp that the dairy's special exception would violate its religious rights.
Read MoreWe are launching a new series of short webcasts, designed to be watched during a break in your busy day. This is the second webcast and it addresses zoning tips for livestock operations.
Read MoreThe Indiana Legislature's Interim Study Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources is considering whether any changes should be made to Indiana confined feeding laws.
Read MoreLivestock facilities in rural areas may be considered "legal nonconforming uses" and therefore be exempt from new zoning ordinances. Indiana law, in particular, gives special protection to agricultural land uses.
Read MoreA series of recent New York Times articles have sounded the alarm about PFAS chemicals in biosolids being land applied as fertilizer to agricultural ground. Is the concern legit?
Brianna Schroeder will be speaking on PFAS and and Carbon Sequestration at the 2025 State Agriculture and Rural Leaders Summit.
Brianna Schroeder will be speaking on a panel at the 2025 Ft. Wayne Farm Show.
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The 45Z tax credit for production of sustainable fuels will require farmers to verify compliance with ag data.