2010 HU alum recognized as “Farmer of the Day” at Indiana State Fair

David Lash, a 2010 Huntington University alum, is being recognized as one of 17 “Farmers of the Day” during the Indiana State Fair. His day is Friday, Aug. 14.

This year’s fair theme is the “Year of the Farmer.” Each day of the 17-day fair highlights a different farmer or farm family who represents an element of Indiana agriculture. The purpose is to honor and celebrate those who have committed their lives to innovation in agriculture.

Lash is representing corn and soybean at the fair. He is self-employed with Lash Farms, Inc., in Mentone, Indiana, where he operates a 400 sow Farrow-to-Finish hog operation in addition to farming.

“I’m honored to be given the opportunity to represent part of Indiana agriculture,” Lash said. “At the state fair, I look forward to positive interactions with non-ag individuals, highlighting that most farms are family businesses working hard to provide safe and healthy ag products.” 

The 17 farmers, who were selected in collaboration with Indiana agriculture stakeholders, will be featured on daily highlight sheets for the fair, as well as participate in various events and exhibits all around the fair.  

“The highlight of the day is being interviewed in the Glass Barn about my operation and farming in general with the opportunity for anyone in attendance to ask questions,” Lash said. “I also will meet with the fair board first thing in the morning, eat lunch at the Pioneer Village and ride in the evening parade, along with interacting with fairgoers throughout the day at the Dow AgroSciences booth and around the grounds.”

Lash graduated from Huntington University in 2010 with a degree in business management. He played on the basketball team and was a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society. He chose to go into agriculture for the opportunity to work with his family and raise his children on the farm while managing an innovative business in the growing industry.

“We work to be good stewards of the land God has entrusted us to farm,” Lash said. “We do this by utilizing practices including no-till, cover crops and variable rate fertilizing.  These match our objective to obtain maximum economic yields. With the currently limited number of schools offering four year ag degrees in Indiana, I am excited for Huntington University to offer an ag program. For myself, earning a degree from HU’s business management program has been helpful in managing our operation, but I feel the additional ag focus in studies will provide even greater benefits for students going into the agriculture industry.” 

See the full list of the Indiana State Fair "Farmer of the Day" honorees.