Tharp appointed to Land Resources Council

A second-generation Putnam County farmer was named to the Indiana Land Resources Council on Friday.

Announcing a number of appointments to state boards and commissions, Gov. Mike Pence appointed Beth Tharp of Legan Livestock and Grain to complete an unexpired four-year term on the council through Aug. 1, 2016.

Tharp is serving as the farmer representative on the council.

"I hope to contribute my experience and knowledge within the agriculture, particularly livestock industry, to help local and state leaders make good decisions regarding land use," Tharp said.

Beth, along with her husband Nick and parents Mark and Phyllis Legan, owns and operates Legan Livestock and Grain, a commercial swine, corn and soybean farm east of Greencastle off State Road 240 (1498 S. CR 775 East, Coatesville).

Beth handles the accounting/finance and sales and marketing for the operation.

The Indiana Land Resources Council was created in state law to assist local and state decision makers with land use tools and policies. The council s composed of representatives from county and municipal governments, home building and land development, business, environmental interests, soil and water conservation districts, and forestry, as well as a land use expert and a farmer.

The ILRC's mission is to evaluate all types of land use, not just agricultural land use.