Senate Bill 925 passes

By State Sen. Sam Graves

The Senate last week passed Senate Bill 925 establishing the Missouri Agriculture Advocates Office under the Department of Agriculture.

The Agriculture Advocates office will include an executive director, and not more than five employees. The agriculture office will then develop an Agriculture Advocate Council. This council will consist of representatives from Missouri commodity groups, such as corn, soybeans, cattle, dairy, swine, and poultry farmers. Several other agricultural related groups will also be appointed. The twelve-member council will be appointed by the Director of Agriculture.

The Advocate Council is set up to assist farmers with agriculture problems across the state. It is designed to protect and promote Missouri’s agriculture economy. One of the major responsibilities is to review and contest state and federal rules and regulations.

It is time for farmers to have a voice in Missouri policy making. Small farmers need to rely on someone to protect, sustain, expand, and promote Missouri agriculture economy across the state and nation. Those farmers do not have the time, energy, or funds to hire powerful lobbyists to insure these necessities are carried out. This office provides a standing ground for farmers to come together and develop plans of action.

Farmers are the backbone of our economy with one farmer feeding 129 people. While others seem to be basking in the prosperous economy, farmers are swimming in debt. Rural Missouri is being bypassed. The success of agriculture is vital to the families of Missouri.

I will continue my fight in the Missouri Senate to see that farmers and their families are protected from the bureaucrats of government. Family farms are facing many challenges today from low prices, increased production cost, and attacks from liberal environmentalists. The Agriculture Advocates Council will assist each Missouri farmer within the world economy.