Stan Maddux
Times Correspondent
LAPORTE — A leader in the agriculture community for the Region is stepping down from his position.
Indiana Farm Bureau District 1 Director Harold Parker decided not to seek reelection after nine years in the seat.
His district covers Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Starke, Fulton, Marshall and Pulaski counties.
The lifelong LaPorte area farmer will be replaced by Matt Hayden, who raises corn, soybeans and beef cattle in Lake County.
Parker, 72, said it was time for younger blood, especially knowing the skills Hayden brings to the position.
“A young guy wanted to take my place and I had a good guy to come in, so I thought it would be a good time to exit,” he said.
Parker, who raises 200 acres of tomatoes for Red Gold, along with corn and soybeans, was recognized Thursday night during the annual meeting of the LaPorte County branch of Indiana Farm Bureau.
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He was presented with a gift card and plaque by LaPorte County Farm Bureau President Mark Parkman, a farmer from the Westville area.
“I know in my world here at Farm Bureau, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’ve been able to do without Harold’s help,” he said.
Parker said his work in helping provide affordable health insurance options to Indiana Farm Bureau members is among his proudest achievements.
In 2021, Indiana Farm Bureau began offering health coverage in response to many farmers and other members struggling to afford their own plans with outside providers.
Making that possible was Gov. Eric Holcomb signing legislation overwhelmingly approved in the House and Senate.
Other achievements Parker cited as a voice at Indiana Farm Bureau involved work to reduce flooding along the Kankakee River and property tax relief for farmers.
“We had differences but we usually were able to come to an agreement on what was best for our people that we help serve,” he said.
Parkman described Parker as someone capable of getting the attention of state lawmakers on matters important to the agriculture community.
“He was very vocal downstate in expressing opinions from a different perspective. We are very grateful for the time he put in for us,” he said.
During the meeting, over $28,000 was also raised from a silent auction to help fund construction of a new Farm Bureau milk cabin at Pioneer Land at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds.
Many of the items up for bidding were donated gift cards for as much as $1,000 from businesses affiliated with agriculture, like Kingsbury Elevator and Heinold Feller Tire in LaCrosse.
There were also individual donations of iPads, meat, candles, coffee machines and other merchandise for the auction, along with monetary contributions for as much as $500.
Parkman said he was pleased with the support during the auction from the over 100 members of Farm Bureau, elected officials and other people in attendance.
“I’m kind of surprised but we were hoping for that,” Parkman said.
Parkman said the new milk cabin, to cost about $110,000, will be made with real timber logs so the look fits in better with the 1830s style village, which consists of more than a dozen buildings at the fairgrounds.
It will go into the space now occupied by the existing, more modern looking cabin, where milk is sold at 25 cents a glass when Pioneer Land is open during the fair.
Parkman said the cabin has been there since 2000 and has maintenance issues like wood rotting around all of the windows.
He said no decision has been made on the future of the existing cabin, which could be torn down, sold or dismantled for parts to be used for maintaining other Pioneer Land structures.
Parkman said the plan is to have the new cabin built in time for the 2025 fair.
He said additional funds still need to be raised but money from the auction and the amount contributed by Farm Bureau has pushed the total more than halfway to what’s needed to build the new cabin.
“We’re definitely getting closer,” he said.
GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week
Pilot Robert Johnson talks about his North American Aviation T-28B plane Friday at the Gary Air Show media preview at the Gary/Chicago International Airport.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Planes are prepped at the Gary/Chicago International Airport. They will be gearing up for the Gary Air Show this weekend at Marquette Beach.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Vintage military aircraft sit on the tarmac Friday at the Gary/Chicago International Airport. They can be seen this weekend at the Gary Air Show at Marquette Beach.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Crown Point emergency personnel stand by as they wait for NIPSCO crews to replace a pole at 97th Place and Main Street Thursday afternoon. Power was disrupted for a portion of Crown Point along Main Street. Traffic had to be diverted to Merrillville Road, causing long waits.
John J. Watkins, The Times
It was unknown how a pole snapped at 97th Place and Main Street in Crown Point Thursday afternoon. Power was disrupted for a large portion of Crown Point along Main Street. Traffic had to be diverted to Merrillville Road causing long waits.
John J. Watkins, The Times
It was unknown how a pole snapped at 97th Place and Main Street in Crown Point Thursday afternoon. Power was disrupted for a large portion of Crown Point along Main Street. Flames can be seen at the pole’s breaking point. Traffic had to be diverted to Merrillville Road causing long waits.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Women’s Olympic soccer team member Casey Krueger is welcomed home to Crown Point Wednesday. Mark Jahovic, 11, is thrilled to have gotten a high five on both hands from the soccer star.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Women’s Olympic soccer team member Casey Krueger is welcomed home to Crown Point Wednesday. Casey, her husband Cody and 2-year-old son Caleb speak to the fans who showed up to cheer on the soccer star at the Old Lake County Courthouse.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Women’s Olympic soccer team member Casey Krueger is welcomed home to Crown Point Wednesday. Casey and 2-year-old son Caleb ride a Crown Point fire truck around the square before stopping at the east entrance of the Old Lake County Courthouse.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Neighborhood Educational Opportunities received a $750,000 donated from the United Way of Indiana on Sunday for its proposed Creekside Early Learning Center, which is expected to open later this fall.
Adrian Martinez-De La Cruz, The Times
Williams Elementary School teacher Sharonne Scott, far left, leading a bike bus of students riding to school on the first day of classes in Gary.
Adrian Martinez-De La Cruz, The Times
Collin Froedge pitches for the Cyclones Saturday at the 45th World Wiffle Ball Championship at the Crown Point Sportsplex.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Alphas player Cooper Bierman connects Saturday at the 45th World Wiffle Ball Championship at the Crown Point Sportsplex.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Alphas player Maks Bartosky connects Saturday at the 45th World Wiffle Ball Championship at the Crown Point Sportsplex. Maks is CQ
John J. Watkins, The Times
Dylan Vielhuber from Reedsburg, Wisconsin bats Saturday at the 45th World Wiffle Ball Championship at the Crown Point Sportsplex.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Crown Point’s Bella Del Real serves to Munster at Saturday’s Crown Point volleyball invitational tournament.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Crown Point’s Alayna Panepinto tries unsuccessfully to save the ball at Saturday’s Crown Point volleyball invitational tournament.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Munster’s Nina Garner fires at Saturday’s Crown Point volleyball invitational tournament.
John J. Watkins, The Times
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