Mr. Kruse specifically commented on property owner rights concerning KATY trail development, the proposed re- introduction of elk into Missouri by the Department of Conservation, and ag land assessment for tax purposes.
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Missouri Farm Bureau President Charles Kruse addressed over 100 Daviess Countians congregated for the county Farm Bureau’s annual meeting held last night in the new fellowship hall of the First Christian Church in Gallatin.
During his remarks, Kruse hit upon a number of issues of interest to rural Missourians while underscoring how organized grassroots efforts can make a difference. Mr. Kruse specifically commented on property owner rights concerning KATY trail development, the proposed re- introduction of elk into Missouri by the Department of Conservation, and ag land assessment for tax purposes.
“Farm Bureau is the largest ag organization in the United States and the world but what we’re really about is helping people work together to enhance the quality of life in rural settings,” said Kruse. “That means we take stands on issues such as public education, road and bridge development and tax policy through policy developed by questionnaires and surveys of our membership.
“This is what sets our organization apart, our policy book. We put our policies in print for anyone to see. If you talk to the folks we elect to represent us, they know Farm Bureau. During the course of a normal day in the Capital, many people walk through the doorway of every representative. But when someone from Farm Bureau walks through that door, elected officials know that the interests being voiced come from the people.”
Perhaps the strongest evidence of Kruse’s statement involves the proposed re-introduction of elk in 10 counties in south Missouri. Kruse said personnel in the Department of Conservation were stunned to learn about opposition to the proposal, particularly from North Missouri.
“Missouri is second only to Texas in cow-calf beef production and naturally producers have a real concern about re-introducing disease in cattle if elk were brought back here,” Kruse said. “And that’s not to mention the concern about motor vehicle accidents, since elk are so much larger than deer. Evidently, the Conservation Department didn’t think about such matters or thought what was targeted in the south wouldn’t arouse interest up here in Northwest Missouri.”
Kruse said Farm Bureau conducted surveys, canvassing every county’s Farm Bureau board of directors, and tallied results by acreage counts. The survey showed 758,000 acres owned by landowners opposed to the elk proposal while only 22,000 acres supported the proposal. Last night’s crowd reacted with laughter when Kruse repeated a quote describing the Conservation Department’s elk proposal as “a multi-floral rose on four legs.”
“The success of the Missouri Department of Conservation over the years is due to the partnership with private landowners, but they’re losing it with proposals like this,” Kruse says. “This battle is not won. On Oct. 6 I have requested time to appear before the Conservation Commission to point out these concerns about re-introducing elk in Missouri.”
Kruse also discussed the KATY trail issue, emphasizing that Farm Bureau is not opposed to hiking trails but the way the property was seized by the government. Farm Bureau led the opposition to the federal government’s action of converting old railroad property into hiking trails without compensation to property owners until a federal judge finally ruled for compensation.
Kruse noted that another property rights issue involves chip mill operations, considered a big issue outside of Northwest Missouri. Farm Bureau opposes the idea of requiring anyone who harvests timber from his property to acquire a permit from the Department of Conservation before a sale can be made. Kruse said this sets a dangerous precedent which could erode landowner rights, and later argued that family farm producers are among the best stewards of the land.
“I took a call from a man who asked why Farm Bureau would oppose something as wholesome as hiking trails,” Kruse said. “So, I offered to provide him a copy of our policy book. When we visited again, he said he not only understood our stand on the KATY trail but said he read through the entire book covering many, many issues, and was quite impressed. He found nothing he disagreed with, that the policies seemed like common sense.”
Common sense is what aroused farm producers against higher ag land assessments proposed by the State Tax Commission. Again, Farm Bureau was instrumental in leading those opposed to recommendations by the University of Missouri to raise assessment values.
“It was an insult to us as farm producers to suggest that ag land is worth more during times when farm prices were falling to record lows,” said Kruse.
Farm Bureau’s voice prompted state legislators to vote a resolution opposing ag land assessment increases. Then, when the tax commission indicated plans to raise assessments anyway, Farm Bureau beat the challenge by winning a unanimous decision in the Missouri Supreme Court. This year the tax commission has already indicated that ag land assessments would not be bothered.
“The American farmer has a proud story to tell,” Kruse said in conclusion. “We are good at what we do, so much so that the concern the American people have when going to the store for food is about choice — not whether any food is actually going to be there. The greatest tribute to the American farmer is the abundance we all enjoy. But there is no guarantee this will always be. We must guard against those things which might destroy the rights and financial livelihood of those who produce our food.”
Mr. Kruse was introduced by Daviess County Farm Bureau president Keith Sutton. Kruse has a distinguished resume, leading to his election as state president in 1992. He also serves as president of the Federation’s five affiliated companies. Kruse and his wife, Pamela, have two sons and one granddaughter, and raise corn, wheat, soybeans and cotton on their farm at Dexter in the Missouri bootheel.
Preceding the address, those attending worked on resolutions and policy development and reviewed the annual financial report. The county Farm Bureau election of officers was announced as follows: Keith Sutton, president; Danny Nalle, vice president; Amy Wood, secretary-treasurer; and board members (2-year terms) Trent Dowell, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Burns, and Travis Bohannon.