The Indiana Department of Environmental Management works closely with farmers, livestock operators, and the agricultural community to support environmentally responsible practices. IDEM provides permitting guidance, compliance resources, and direct assistance to help agricultural operations protect water quality, manage waste, and meet state environmental requirements.
Confined Feeding Operations (CFO)
- Requirements for confined feeding operations, including permits, construction approvals, and operating standards.
- Guidance on manure storage, handling, and land application.
- Recordkeeping and reporting expectations for regulated livestock operations.
Emergency Response and Public Safety
- Spill reporting requirements and 24/7 emergency response contacts.
- Guidance for reporting cybersecurity infrastructure incidents.
- Air monitoring and public health advisories for Air Quality Action Days.
Open Burning and Waste Handling
- Rules for agricultural burning, including permitted materials and prohibited practices.
- Guidance on proper disposal of agricultural plastics, containers, and other farm waste.
Water Quality and Runoff Protection
- Best practices for reducing nutrient and sediment runoff from fields and livestock areas.
- Clearing or Grading Land? You may have wetlands
- Stormwater requirements for agricultural construction or expansion projects.
Agriculture Liaison
- IDEM’s Agriculture Liaison, Megan Espinda, helps farmers navigate environmental regulations, understand permitting requirements, and connect with agency programs.
- Megan's mission is to ensure a sustainable future for Indiana's agriculture by continuing building strong relationships and collaboration with farmers, industry groups, and experts to find solutions that balance high-quality food production with environmental protection.
- Find assistance with manure management, land application, stormwater, and general agricultural environmental questions
- A University of Findlay (Ohio) and Kansas State University graduate, Megan comes with a bachelor's in animal science and a master's in agribusiness.
- Contact Agriculture Liaison, Megan Espinda at MEspinda@idem.IN.gov or (317) 601-1949.
Records, Resources and Tools
- IDEM provides 24/7 access to more than 2 million agency public records through its Virtual File Cabinet (VFC).
- IDEM’s What’s in My Neighborhood interactive map allows users to search by address, zip code, or city and find information on environmental activities, contaminated sites, landfills, and Superfund sites in an area.
- Need help? Start with this Quick Start Guide or see our Frequently Asked Questions document.
Questions, Comments or Complaints?
- Report a spill (24/7) – (888) 233-7745
- File an environmental complaint by call (800) 451-6027, option 3 or click here.
- More contact information is available here.
