A Moment with Mike -- Drought Effects Still Being Felt

While last year our state was hit hard by heavy rains, flooding and severe weather, this year has been marked by an extreme lack of precipitation and drought.  The shortage of rainfall has impacted all Missourians but has been especially devastating for Missouri farmers who have seen their crops wither and their livestock in peril because of a lack of water and feed.

      In an effort to help, the Missouri House has put together a special commission made up of legislators and citizens to take a closer look at what the state can do to help farmers who have suffered as a result of the drought.  The Interim Commission on Agriculture Innovation and Economic Recovery will look for ways not only to help farm owners endure the extreme weather, but also to overcome the continued tough economic times.

      Commission members will travel around the state to take public input on the issue.  They plan to look at everything from ways to improve irrigation to policies that will help to rebuild and sustain the cow-calf industry here in Missouri.  Missouri is the number two cow-calf state in the nation, but the cattle numbers have dropped this year as many Missourians have been forced to sell off their stock because they can’t find hay or afford the skyrocketing hay prices.  The committee plans to look at ways it can help Missouri to maintain its place as a cow-calf state.

      As the Representative  from Northwest Missouri, which is heavily dependent on agriculture, I appreciate the efforts from the Missouri House to assist in any way possible.  However, with a severe shortage of funds and the inability to control or influence “mother nature” I am somewhat skeptical of the results and certainly do not want to provide false hope and unrealistic expectations.

      In July of this year our Governor came out with a plan to help farmers upgrade their wells to provide water for livestock and irrigation.  The response was overwhelming and many farmers across the state signed up for the program that would pay 90 percent of the eligible project cost.  The original estimate of $2 million was not enough and soon another $5 million was designated to the program.

       The money was dedicated from the State Soil and Water Reserve Fund and it was soon evident that other projects that were also seen as priorities could not be funded.  Soil and Water offices were inundated with applications and the state inspectors that had to give final approval of projects were not consistent or knowledgeable about the rules and regulations of the program.  The deadlines for completion were unreasonable and a program that started out with good intention became bogged down in paperwork and disappointment.

      I will always be supportive of anything we can do to assist in times of need but I sincerely hope that any plan or attempt to help our farmers will be well planned and productive.

          If you have questions, you may reach me at my Capitol number 573-751-9465, at the local district number, 660-582-4014, by email at mike.thomson@house.mo.gov or by mail at Room 401B State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.