Don Lamb has been named the new Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA).
Lamb is the co-owner and operator of Lamb Farms Inc. in Lebanon, along with his brother and father. The farm produces popcorn, corn, soybeans and wheat. The family also owns AgRecycle, a composting and recycling business, and Lamb Farms Agronomy, which provides soil management and crop production products to surrounding farms.
Lamb is a member of the Advisory Council for the Indiana Agricultural Law Foundation. Lamb will be stepping down as Vice President of the Boone County Council and policy chair of his local Farm Bureau Board to assume his position with the ISDA.
Lamb graduated from Purdue University in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics. He was also named the Outstanding Young Farmer of Boone County in 1996 and was named the Agricultural Professional of the Year in 2014 by the Boone County Chamber of Commerce.
In his new role as ISDA Director, Lamb will also serve as the Director of Agribusiness Development for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Lamb’s main priorities will be leading ISDA’s five divisions, which include, agricultural advocacy, economic development, youth development and environmental stewardship.
Lamb takes over the role that was previously held by Bruce Kettler, who left ISDA to become President and CEO of the Agribusiness Council of Indiana in January.
“Don is not only a 2nd-generation farmer, but also a successful agribusinessman and understands the significant and leading role the ag industry plays in Indiana,” said Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb. “In looking for a new executive director for the Indiana Department of Agriculture, it was important to find someone who would be a strong steward of our land and all that it produces. Don truly cares about the Hoosier ag community and securing Indiana’s place as a global leader in the agricultural industry for generations to come.”
“Indiana is now the 8th-ranked agricultural product producing state in the country, this industry contributes more than $35 billion dollar to our economy,” said Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Don engrained himself in the agricultural community at an early age, not just focusing on his own operation. He has the leadership skills to not only lead the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, but to the state’s ag industry into the future. I look forward to working with him.”
Indiana Farm Bureau President Randy Kron told Hoosier Ag Today that he’s excited to have Lamb in the role.
“He’s a farmer. He understands agriculture. I think he understands the breadth of agriculture and what it means to this great state. When I think about him, (I think about) the experience that he’s had, he’s well rounded, he’s served on county council in Boone County, and a lot of different leadership roles that he served in. So, we’re excited to have him sitting at the table making sure agriculture’s viewpoints are heard from a real farmer.”
Lamb will begin in his new role on March 13, 2023.
