Blunt announces new agriculture coordinator
December 03, 2007
LAKE OZARK Gov. Matt Blunt today (Dec. 3, 2007) addressed the Missouri Farm Bureau and announced that Missouri farmers will have a new coordinator to help them navigate through the maze of regulations and permitting processes for their livestock operations. The governor created the new position, the Agriculture Resources Coordinator, to serve as a liaison between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Natural Resources to help farmers comply with the law and regulatory rules. No one officially has been announced for the position.

The Agriculture Resources Coordinator will serve as an initial point of contact for producers who wish to expand their operation or start a new operation. The coordinator will serve as a liaison between the agricultural industry and the Department of Natural Resources to ensure that Missouri livestock producers are given the tools they need for success, including proper location of facilities and access to new technology.

Farmers have said that they would like to increase their production in Missouri, but are reluctant to make the commitment because of county ordinances. The new Agriculture Resources Coordinator will reach out to producers ensuring that Missouris farmers receive assistance and guidance when looking to expand their agriculture operations. Many Missouri farm families when faced with the decision to expand their operations are hesitant due to overly restrictive county ordinances and other regulatory hurdles. The governor has been urging DNR to continue taking a more science-based approach when it comes to the issuance of regulatory permits.

Missouri ranks among the top 10 states in production of beef cattle, turkeys, broilers, hogs and eggs. According to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), many of the problems Missouris agriculture producers face when obtaining a permit could be solved through better location of their facilities.

The new position will be created within existing resource and employee allotments. After having reduced the size of government, Governor Blunt has firmly stated that he will not allow the number of state employees to ever again exceed 60,000 while he serves.

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