FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 3, 2007

CONTACT: Becky Grisham, Missouri Corn Growers Association, (573) 893-4181 or (800) 827-4181

FARMERS TRAVEL TO JEFFERSON CITY TO PUSH FOR UNIFORM REGULATIONS

Nearly 400 farmers and ranchers from across Missouri’s countryside traveled to the State Capitol today in a strong show of support for Senate Bill 364, also known as the Missouri Farm and Food Preservation Act (MFFPA).

"This bill represents the future for growth in the livestock industry in Missouri," says Dave Drennan, executive director of the Missouri Dairy Association. "Members of the General Assembly will be sending a clear signal to our producers on whether or not agriculture is wanted in this state. For the dairy industry, and every other ag industry, we hope their decision is a positive vote of support."

Buses and vans brought in supporters from across the state to attend the event, which started at the Missouri Farm Bureau Building and ended in the halls of the Capitol. The large crowd of livestock producers, grain farmers and agribusiness members took time away from their farms, fields and businesses to travel to Jefferson City, Mo., to meet with lawmakers and push for passage of legislation that would help protect farmers from unjustified county regulations.

"It’s a slippery slope we are on right now and we need legislators to look at this legislation objectively," said Gary Branum, a farmer from New Madrid, Mo. "Few, if any, county governments have the time, science and knowledge to understand the complex rules they are imposing with county health ordinances and the farmers are the ones who end up suffering."

The broad coalition of agricultural organizations supporting Senate Bill 364 recently reached a major compromise on this legislation with the Missouri Association of Counties (MAC). The substitute bill addresses regulations regarding the state’s largest animal feeding operations, sets up a process for county input, increases setbacks in certain cases, and creates incentives for using best management practices and odor control techniques.

"This bill isn’t about corporate agriculture as some opponents contend, but rather about keeping family farmers and all of agriculture growing and prospering in our state," said Gene Millard, a corn farmer who traveled in for the event from St. Joseph, Mo. "I should be home preparing for planting season, but I’m here because this is an important issue. Legislators need to pass Senate Bill 364 so that guys like me can pass the family farm onto future generations without the fear of being forced to operate under emotionally-based regulations."

Today’s event was sponsored by the Coalition for Missouri Farm and Food Preservation, an alliance of 19 farm organizations that includes the Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Pork Association, Missouri Dairy Association, MFA Incorporated, Missouri Agribusiness Association, Missouri Egg Council, Missouri Poultry Federation, FCS Financial, Progressive Farm Credit, Macon County Ag Alliance, Friends of Agriculture in Marion County, Missouri Forest Products Association, Missouri Council for Burley Tobacco, Missouri Sheep Producers, Missouri Equine Council and Missouri Renewable Fuels Association.

To learn more about the Missouri Farm and Food Preservation Act, visit www.farmandfoodpreservation.org.