Week of 3/15/2025: Indiana Farmers Brace for Tariffs, The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium, and the State of Rural Education

In this episode of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, we examine how Indiana’s 94,000 farmers are preparing for the spring planting season amid uncertain crop prices and potential tariffs. With China as the top importer of Hoosier soybeans and Mexico leading in corn imports, how will trade tensions impact Indiana’s $35 billion agriculture economy? We get insights from Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb and Purdue agricultural economist Chad Fiechter on the economic pressures facing farmers. Plus, The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium, headquartered at the Hoosier Cancer Research Network, unites 16 universities to conduct collaborative clinical trials. With the addition of West Coast schools like UCLA and Washington, the initiative is expanding its reach, accelerating the development of life-saving treatments and offering new hope to cancer patients nationwide. Also in this episode: Hoosier farmers navigate rising costs: From fertilizer and fuel prices to inflation and high interest rates, why many farmers can’t project a profit this season and how they’re adapting. Gary’s pitch for a convention center: With Hard Rock Casino leading the charge, we explore how the city is positioning itself to become a regional convention hub. Rural Indiana’s education challenges: A new documentary highlights the struggles of North Putnam schools, from teacher shortages to limited access to healthcare and internet. A major international business conference lands in Indy: Mark Cuban headlines the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, bringing investors and innovators from around the world to Indiana. West Lafayette biotech breakthrough: A Purdue-founded life sciences startup secures FDA clearance for an innovative pancreatic cancer test. Join us for an in-depth look at Indiana’s agriculture sector, economic development, and the future of education in rural communities.