VanceMitchem Public Affairs

08/27/2026

There’s no substitute for experiencing public affairs firsthand.

Our internship gives students the opportunity to see how government relations works in practice, learn alongside the VanceMitchem team and gain experience inside the Indiana Statehouse.

Interested in being our next intern? Applications are considered on a rolling basis on our website: http://vancemitchem.com/internship.

08/24/2026

The Indiana State Fair became a second office for the VanceMitchem team this year.

Last week, we attended Rural Caucus, connecting with policymakers and leaders from across the state to discuss the priorities, opportunities, and challenges facing Indiana agriculture.

We were also proud to attend the annual Harvest Dinner, which celebrates Indiana’s farmers and agricultural community while supporting the Indiana State Fair Youth Development Fund and 4-H youth participating in the Fair.

Events like these are a great reminder of the people, industries, and traditions that continue to shape Indiana.

08/11/2026

VanceMitchem is looking for an intern ready to experience the Indiana Statehouse firsthand. This paid internship puts you in the middle of the action, covering committee hearings, supporting our government relations team, and contributing to weekly VM publications.

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Apply through our website at https://www.vancemitchem.com/internship.

08/10/2026

We’re proud to see Co-Founder and President Chris Mitchem kick off this year’s Fair alongside elected officials, agriculture leaders and the Indiana State Fair Board.

As a member of the state fair board, Chris contributes to the Fair’s mission of celebrating and promoting agriculture across the state.

Be sure to visit the Indiana State Fair, running through Aug. 23!

08/04/2026

The Indianapolis Colts returned to training camp, beginning the preparation that will shape the season ahead. In government affairs, the same applies: effective advocacy begins well before the legislative session kicks off.

The interim is not an offseason. It is when we engage policymakers, monitor emerging issues, refine client priorities, and develop the strategies needed for the session ahead.

Read more on our blog: https://www.vancemitchem.com/post/what-does-a-lobbyist-do-when-the-legislature-isn-t-in-session .

Authored By: Chris MitchemWhen the Indiana General Assembly adjourns each year, lobbyists inevitably hear some version of the same question:"So what does a lobbyist do for the rest of the year?"The popular image is that lobbyists spend the seven or eight months between sessions with their feet up, t...

07/28/2026

Congratulations to our friend and client, RecycleForce Founder and President Gregg Keesling, on being named to IBJ Media's Indiana 250. A well-deserved recognition that comes at an exciting time for RecycleForce.

The organization was recently awarded a $5 million U.S. Department of Labor grant that will expand workforce training and employment opportunities for young adults returning from incarceration.

We look forward to supporting the important work ahead as they continue creating second chances through workforce development.

07/21/2026

Northeastern REMC continues to lead the way in Indiana’s energy sector.

As part of Purdue University’s Indiana Renewable Energy Planning (R-STEP) Regional Workshop, NREMC recently hosted county commissioners, local leaders, and energy professionals from across northeast Indiana for a firsthand look at its battery energy storage system (BESS).

NREMC was the first utility in Indiana to successfully deploy a BESS at scale, an investment that has generated substantial savings for its members.

We’re proud to work alongside the NREMC team as it continues to advance innovative energy solutions and help shape Indiana’s energy future.

07/16/2026

We enjoyed spending the afternoon with our client, the Indiana Brewers Guild, alongside members of the Indiana General Assembly.

Events like these provide a great opportunity to strengthen relationships beyond the Statehouse while highlighting the impact of Indiana's craft brewing industry.

07/10/2026

Congratulations to our client, the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the local conservation districts across Indiana for their continued leadership in protecting one of our state's greatest resources: its soil.

Indiana is among the nation's leaders in cover crop adoption, with cover crops now planted on more acres than any commodity crop in the state other than corn and soybeans.

We're proud to work with an organization helping turn conservation goals into results.

The Indiana Conservation Partnership (ICP) recently announced the results of the conservation transect survey, which estimated Hoosier farmers planted 1.58 million acres of overwinter living covers. The conservation transect is a visual survey of cropland in the

07/07/2026

Coming off the holiday weekend and catching up on the latest in Indiana politics?

Chris Mitchem and his fellow panelists covered several issues shaping the state in this week’s Indiana Week in Review, including the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship ruling, Governor Braun’s proposal to reimburse local governments for lost gas tax revenue, and data center regulations in Indiana communities.

We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to these important conversations. You can watch here: https://www.wfyi.org/episodes/reactions-to-the-birthright-citizenship-case-july-3-2026-ym6gnx