Putnam County farmer Mark Legan receives the AgriVision Award

Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith presented Mark Legan, owner of Legan Livestock & Grain in Fillmore with the AgriVision Award.

For 20 years, the award has been presented as the state’s highest agricultural honor to individuals who have made significant contributions to the agriculture industry and their communities.

The presentation was made Thursday at the Indiana State Fair.

“Congratulations to Mark Legan on receiving this year’s AgriVision Award,” Lt. Governor Beckwith, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development said. “His lifelong dedication to Indiana agriculture is an example for us all.”

Legan’s career in agriculture is defined by innovation, leadership and a deep commitment to conservation and community. A first-generation farmer, Legan built Legan Livestock & Grain from the ground up alongside his wife, Phyllis, in 1989. Over the decades, he has grown the operation into a thriving, multi-generational enterprise. Legan Livestock & Grain encompasses both livestock and row crop production, producing approximately 60,000 pigs per year along with more than 1,000 acres of corn, soybeans and pasture for hay and horses.

Legan is a true pioneer in conservation and responsible farming. He has embraced no-till practices and cover crops to reduce erosion and improve soil health, significantly outperforming statewide averages. He also incorporates natural fertilization methods that promote a more sustainable, circular approach to his operation and takes part in the National Pork Board’s environmental benchmarking initiative which tracks and improves environmental performance across the pork sector.

Legan’s leadership extends well beyond his farm gate. He has served on the boards of Indiana Pork Producers and the National Pork Producers Council, contributing to committees focused on the Farm Bill, budgeting and competitive markets. He also represents Indiana farmers on the Indiana Soybean Alliance Board and serves as a liaison to the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

A proud Purdue graduate with a master’s degree, Legan has served as a Purdue Extension agent and continues to give back to his alma mater as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council. In recognition of his lifelong contributions to agriculture and his community, Purdue honored him with the Certificate of Distinction in 2020.

Mark Legan is the embodiment of what the Indiana AgriVision Award stands for: an innovative leader, a dedicated steward of the land, a builder of strong agricultural communities, and a mentor to the next generation. His vision and values continue to shape the future of Indiana agriculture in meaningful and lasting ways.

“Mark’s story is one of building something lasting – not just a farm, but a legacy rooted in integrity, family and stewardship of the land,” said Don Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “He has spent his career mentoring the next generation of farmers while never losing sight of what matters most: doing right by his land, his community and the people who will carry this work forward. Indiana agriculture is stronger because of leaders like Mark.”