Corn Council Trains 1,190 Indiana First Responders
The Indiana Corn Marketing Council's program has equipped emergency personnel across 26 counties to handle farm-related emergencies since 2022.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Emergency Response
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Should your local volunteer fire department receive specialized farm-emergency training?
The Indiana Corn Marketing Council has funded training for 1,190 firefighters and first responders since 2022 through 41 training events held in 26 Indiana counties. The council has documented three rescues in Jackson, Shelby and Putnam counties involving program equipment or training.
Why it matters
Agricultural emergencies can involve heavy machinery, grain handling equipment and other farm-related hazards that general emergency training may not address. The council is seeking more volunteer fire departments to join the program across Indiana.
The council reports 1,190 trained responders across 41 events, with three documented rescues in Jackson, Shelby and Putnam counties. The extraction does not report statewide farm-emergency incident totals against which these rescues can be measured.
The players
Indiana Corn Marketing Council
The Indiana Corn Marketing Council is the state checkoff organization that funds corn promotion, research and education in Indiana.
Mat Berger
Mat Berger is a farmer in Fountain City, Indiana, quoted in the council's reporting on the program.
The details
The program equips emergency personnel with knowledge and tools to respond to agricultural emergencies. Volunteer fire departments interested in joining are directed to contact the Indiana Corn Marketing Council to be connected with program resources.
Timeline
In 2022, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council began funding first responder training.
On November 2, 2026, the council published results of the program and a call for volunteer fire departments.
Seasonal Patterns
Indiana's corn-funded responder training places farm-specific rescue capacity alongside the state's standard fire and emergency services, extending the checkoff-funded education model beyond marketing and research into public safety.
Volunteer fire departments in Indiana interested in agricultural rescue training can contact the Indiana Corn Marketing Council to be connected with program resources. Residents in farming areas should be aware that grain bins, heavy machinery and other farm hazards may require specialized response.
The takeaway
Farm emergencies often involve equipment and hazards that standard training does not cover, so departments serving rural Indiana have a practical reason to seek this program. Local fire departments willing to join can start by contacting the council directly.
Further reading
For related coverage, see Emergency Response reporting from across Indiana.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hoosier Ag Today.
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Should your local volunteer fire department receive specialized farm-emergency training?
