MEMBERSHIP

You Give. You Receive.

MEMBERSHIP

Your membership helps drive the success of Hoosier agriculture. When you become a member, your yearly support goes toward:

  • Education, programming and advocacy at the local, state and national level.

  • Keeping the food supply safe and affordable in our state.

  • Advocating for changes including farmland property taxes cuts and elimination of the state inheritance tax.

  • Providing over $170,000 in scholarships for youth and adult education.

  • Supporting 4-H and FFA youth development.

  • Creating new business opportunities for retail agriculture.

  • Preventing the adoption of costly and burdensome agriculture-impacting regulations.

  • Continuing focus on helping the agriculture industry grow and prosper.

BENEFITS

Monroe County Farm Bureau representatives providing funding for an antique tractor show

Your Indiana Farm Bureau membership gives you access to more than 289,000 offers such as discounts on hotels, rental cars, vacations, flowers, restaurants, movies, electronics, equipment, vehicles and more. Using just one of these offers can save you more than the cost of your annual membership.

Membership benefits change regularly. To see the most current list of perks, visit the membership page.

Meet your neighbors! Monroe County Farm Bureau, Inc. encourages you to support and learn more about our member farms.

MEMBER FARMS

butler winery vineyard

Owners: Jim and Susie Butler

Located 10 minutes north of downtown Bloomington, they produce five acres of grapes and have proudly been growing grapes in Bloomington for 35 years. Their grounds and vineyards may be explored, and they operate a wine-tasting room for those over 21.  They can also host groups in their pavilion, barrel room. or wine cellar. Open Monday-Saturday from 10:00am-6:00pm and Sunday from 12:00pm-6:00pm.

6200 E. Robinson Road, Bloomington, IN 47408

https://www.butlerwinery.com

Barns behind several cows at Celtic Glen Farm

Celtic Glen Heritage Livestock

Owners: Phil and Lessie Lennon

Cattle (Highland, Irish Dexter), sheep (Scottish Soay), goats (Arapawa), and rabbits (Champagne, Silver Fox, American blues), Celtic herbs. Breeding stock, craft meats, prepared foods, pet and garden items, farmstays, educational workshops, nature connections. Veteran-owned, regenerative farm committed to river/wetland stewardship, quarry reclamation, predator-compatible practices, renewable energy, and sustainable packaging. 

Member: Farmstay USA, Veterans IN Farming, Livestock Conservancy, Care Farming Network, Indiana Grown. Products at Bloomington Farm Stop, Bloomingfoods, Bethel Lane Farm Stop, direct from farm.

4425 E Cambridge Court, Bloomington, IN 47408, and

1692 W. Romona Road, Spencer, IN 47460

https://www.celticglen.org/

A wagon full of orange pumpkins in front of a barn at Fowler Pumpkin Patch

FOWLER PUMPKIN PATCH

Celebrate fall at Fowler Pumpkin Patch! Our 144-acre farm is packed with autumn adventures, from picking the perfect pumpkin to hayrides, our sunny corn maze, and barrel train rides for the kids. Explore the kiddie zone and animal barn, shop seasonal décor, grab a bite from local food vendors, or relax in the beer garden. For extra thrills, join us on October 11th and 18th for Haunted Hayride nights. We’re kicking off our 16th season on September 20th, and we can’t wait to celebrate fall with you at the patch!

5060 N. Greene County Line Road, Bloomington, IN 47403

https://fowlerpumpkinpatch.com

A couple standing next to each other from Hall's Greenhouse

HALL’S GREENHOUSE

Owners: Steve and Carol Hall

Beginning their 46th year of growing annuals and lots of flowers and vegetables in their Bloomington greenhouses. Open mid-April through mid-June. Monday-Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm.

4855 S. Harmony Road, Bloomington, IN 47403

812-825-7070

A man and a woman standing in front of a fence at Marble Hill Farm

MARBLE hill farm

Owners: Whitney and Kip Schlegel

Marble Hill Farm is a small diversified livestock farm located in Southwest Monroe County established in 1998. They use regenerative agricultural practices that promote soil health and animal well-being to raise Low-Line Angus cattle, chickens, and Shetland sheep for grass-finished beef, eggs and wool. Passionate about local food, fiber, and community they welcome visitors to come share a connection with the land during open farm days. They also partner with Monroe County Community School Corporation and community groups to engage youth with Monroe County farms.  Products may be found at the Bloomington Farm Stop Collective, Bethel Lane Farm Stop, the Saturday Bloomington Farmers’ Market, and online.

https://www.marblehillfarmin.com/

Woman from The Seedlings Flower Farm holding a large bouquet of flowers

The Seedlings (Flower Farm)

Owner: Laura Deck

Spring and summer subscriptions. U-pick open July-September; check website for hours. Farm to jar summer classes. Summer pass for U-pick and classes. 

seedlingsinfo@gmail.com

https://www.theseedlingsflowertruck.com

A group of men and women in two rows at Sobremesa Farm

SOBREMESA FARM

Owners: Robert Frew and Juan Carlos Arango

A part of the farm-to-table movement, the farm practices organic and regenerative growing methods. Offers community-supported agriculture (CSA). On-site market on Sundays 11:00am-6:00pm.

4781 N. Mount Gilead Road, Bloomington, IN 47408

One half gallon of chocolate milk and one half gallon of whole milk from Twin Springs Creamery

twin springs creamery

A multi-family dairy operation committed to providing ecologically sustainable dairy products to members of the surrounding community. “From our farm to your fridge. You deserve local, fresh milk.” Their honor fridge is the easiest way to purchase. Stop by any day between 10:00am-6:00pm. Also available at Bloomington Farm Stop Collective, Bethel Lane Farm Stop, Bloomingfoods Co-op Market, and a growing number of locations.

3785 North Starnes Road, Bloomington, Indiana

https://Twinspringscreamery.com

A rustic farmhouse in a rural setting called Whippoorwill Hill

whipporwill hill

Owners: Jeff and Anne Lucas

Whipporwill Hill operates an indoor-outdoor wedding and event venue south of Bloomington that features multiple historic structures, including two barns (the Russell barn is defined as an Agricultural Event Center in the County Development Ordinance) and an 1822 log cabin on a 156-acre working farm. Please visit their website to learn more about their venue and barn.

1780 E. Rayletown Road, Bloomington, IN 47401

https://Whippoorwill-hill.com

A man standing with a young boy from Wilderlove Farm

wilderlove farm

Owners: Maeve and Kyle Smith

Located in Bloomington, your food travels less than 10 miles from where it was grown. Purchase flowers, seasonal produce, and specialty add-ons from them at the Bloomington Community Farmers Market, the Bloomington Farm Stop Collective, and their online store Monday-Thursday.

https://Wilderlovefarm.com

MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA AGRICULTURE STATISTICS

FARMING TRENDS

In 2022, there were 419 farms in Monroe County.

Total land in farms increased by 32 acres to 63,216 acres.

The average size of a farm grew by 55 acres to 151 acres.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

The market value of agricultural products sold increased significantly by 77%, reaching $16,643,000 in 2022, though net cash farm income remained negative at -$157,000, although this was a 76% improvement from the previous period.

Government payments to farms totaled $512,000, a modest increase of 4%.

Total farm production expenses were $19,217,000, up 52%.

LAND USE & PRACTICES

Monroe County farms primarily utilize:

  • Cropland: 19,894 acres

  • Pastureland: 11,544 acres

  • Woodland: 26,837 acres

Conservation practices include:

  • No-till farming: 12% of farms

  • Reduced tillage: 6% of farms

  • Intensive tillage: 5% of farms

  • Cover crops: 12% of farms

CROPS & LIVESTOCK

Key crops include:

  • Forage (hay/haylage): 7,549 acres

  • Soybeans for beans: 5,227 acres

  • Corn for grain: 4,529 acres

  • Wheat for grain: 146 acres

Notable livestock production includes:

  • Cattle and calves: 5,036 head

  • Goats: 573 head

  • Hogs and pigs: 620 head

Note: This data is primarily drawn from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2022 Census of Agriculture. Further information and historical data can be found on the USDA NASS website.