Kosciusko Leadership Academy learned about Agri-Business in Kosciusko County.

Creighton Brothers hosted the meeting and General Manager Ron Truex explained how far the company has grown, from the 1925’s start to providing over 1 billion eggs a year.

Crystal Lake, the sister company, breaks over 36,000 eggs a day, on purpose, to provide liquid, frozen and specialty egg products. The largest challenge facing agriculture today is in educating the public that factory farming, or a Confined Animal Feeding Operation, is not a dirty word.

Animals that are cared for are more productive. The animals in these facilities live in a temperature controlled environment, with food and water readily available.

Agriculture is the largest employer in Kosciusko County. Only one half percent of the population is involved in agriculture – the majority of the population consumes the products.

Dennis Tucker, sales and marketing manager for Chore Time, stated the wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway reached annual sales of one billion dollars last year. Chore Time is growing to help farmers meet the demands of a hungry and growing world. Protein consumption is vitally important to emerging countries.

Chore Time manufactured products include animal feeding systems, drinking systems, egg gathering equipment, grain drying and storage bins. Two of the company’s top priorities are efficiency gains and quality animal care.

Kelly Heckaman, Purdue Extension Educator and KLA Cadet Dacy Newman, Helvey & Associates, discuss Agri- Business in Kosciusko County.

Kelly Heckaman, Purdue County Extension educator, explained Indiana has an extension office in every county. Food is plentiful in our country, but the challenge will be feeding the 9 billion estimated world population of the future. Currently, one in five children faces food insecurity.

According to these speakers, the future jobs will be in food science and in agricultural technology. Currently, 19 percent of Hoosier workers are involved in agriculture.

The next KLA session will be held on March 26 at Westminster Hall for the session on arts, culture and religious heritage in Kosciusko County.

KLA is a not for profit organization devoted to serving Kosciusko County by encouraging leaders and future leaders to dream and create a better community through white paper projects.