Local Farm & Food Advocacy February 24th

The Missouri Rural Crisis Center is organizing a Farm and Food Advocacy Day at the Missouri Capitol on Tuesday, February 24th. Priorities include investing in local and regional food infrastructure, expanding access to capital and land for family farmers, promoting fair and competitive markets, and supporting institutional purchasing of Missouri grown food.

There will be a sign-in from 8:15 am to 9:00 am at the Capitol. A Rally in the Rotunda will take place at 9 am. Meetings with legislators will take place from 10 am to noon. Following a lunch, more meetings will take place from 12:45 to 2:30 pm.

While the number of farmers has shrunk over the last century, family farms are still central to the county and the state economy. Yet rising costs, market consolidation, and limited access to fair, competitive markets are threatening their survival. On the positive side, more and more consumers and wholesale buyers are seeking farm fresh and healthy foods.

 

Bill to Overturn Worth County Health Ordinance Passes Missouri House

On Tuesday, May 14th, the Missouri House passed Senate Bill 391 by a 103-44 vote. This bill would overturn the health ordinances of Worth County and 19 other counties related to CAFO’s and other large agricultural operations. The bill goes to Governor Mike Parson for his signature. State Representatives Allen Andrews and J. Eggleston both voted for the measure. All 103 “Yes” votes were from Republicans. 39 Democrats and 5 Republicans voted against the measure. The following are opinion pieces for and against the measure.

PRO – By the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association
The Missouri House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 391 Tuesday, May 14, 2019, with a 103-44 vote. The vote was the final hurdle for the legislation in the 2019 legislative session, which concludes Friday, May 17. The legislation now moves to Governor Mike Parson for his signature. The Missouri Cattlemen's Association was a driving force in moving the legislation forward and its president, Bobby Simpson, wasted no time in calling the passage a "historic victory" for farm and ranch families. 

 "This victory was the product of leaders and staff of nearly 30 groups standing together, dedicated House and Senate leadership, unwavering bill sponsors, and elected leaders willing to sort fact from fiction," said Simpson. "Above all else, dedicated farmers and ranchers made this happen. This is their win." 

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-6) and led in the House by Rep. Mike Haffner (R-55), prevents county governments from passing rules and regulations on farm and ranch families that are more stringent than scientifically founded rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources and other agencies. Proponents argue that a patchwork of county-by-county regulations creates regulatory uncertainty for farm and ranch families and prevents them from expanding and stops new operations from starting. The list of proponents include nearly 30 organizations. 

Opponents of the legislation include the Humane Society of the United States, Missouri Rural Crisis Center and Sierra Club. They argue that the legislation only benefits corporate farmers. Simpson said the wild accusations are false and a direct assault on farm and ranch families in the state. He said he is thankful legislators were willing to think independently and sort fact from fiction.
  
"One real story from the next generation wanting a future in Missouri agriculture is more powerful than 1,000 emails with activist talking points," said Simpson. "One real story from a farmer wanting to expand and create more economic activity does more than fear mongering. The opposition didn't have farmers and ranchers at the Capitol every single week of legislative session. Our association's Cowboys at the Capitol program worked. No bogus talking points, just real people with real stories."
Simpson is optimistic Governor Parson will sign the legislation. 

CON – By the Missouri Sierra Club
Senate Bill 391 would negate all agricultural related existing health ordinances in 20 rural counties (that have been passed by local, elected representatives) and would stop any county from passing a new ordinance in order to protect the health and welfare of their citizens from the negative effects of corporate- controlled Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOS). House Bill 951 would effectively block county commissions and health boards from enforcing these health ordinances.

Existing DNR Oversight Insufficient
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) does not have authority to provide oversight of the land application of the millions of gallons of waste that comes from "export only" CAFOs like Pipestone Systems, LLC. So without local ordinances they can spread waste right up to property lines, homes, and water sources.

CAFOs that aren't designated as "export only" can spread waste 50 feet from property lines and homes and 300 feet from water sources.

The DNR does not set any air quality standards for CAFOs with less than 17,500 hogs, 7,000 cattle, or 875,000 chickens.

There are no state setback requirements between CAFOs and populated areas.

CAFOs are not required to obtain construction permits from the State of Missouri.

Bill Overturning Worth County Health Ordinance Passes State Senate

PRO – By the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association
The Missouri Senate passed Missouri Cattlemen's Association priority, Senate Bill 391, Thursday, May 2, 2019, with a 23-11 vote. The legislation now moves to the Missouri House of Representatives for approval. The association was quick to commend legislators for approving the measure that it says advances Missouri agriculture and reduces regulatory uncertainty for its members. 

"This is a huge win for Missouri agriculture. The Missouri Senate has made clear its intent to move Missouri agriculture forward. They sent the signal to current and future farmers and ranchers that we are open for business," said MCA President Bobby Simpson. "We encourage the House to move quickly to pass this important legislation." 

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-6), prevents county governments from passing rules and regulations on farm and ranch families that are more stringent than scientifically founded rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources and other agencies. Proponents argue that a patchwork of county-by-county regulations creates regulatory uncertainty for farm and ranch families and prevents them from expanding and stops new operations from starting. The list of proponents include nearly 30 organizations. 

Opponents of the legislation include the Humane Society of the United States, Missouri Rural Crisis Center and Sierra Club. They argue that the legislation only benefits corporate farmers. Simpson said the wild accusations are false and a direct assault on farm and ranch families in the state. 

"The fear mongering and outright lies of the radical extremist groups opposing this legislation do nothing to benefit Missouri agriculture or consumers. We are proud to represent cattle producers in this state and will not back down to those who have no desire to move agriculture and our rural communities forward," said Simpson, who is a former county commissioner. "We are grateful to the senators who supported Missouri agriculture with a yes vote and cannot thank enough Sen. Bernskoetter and Majority Floor Leader Caleb Rowden for their unwavering, bold leadership on this important issue."

CON – By the Missouri Rural Crisis Center
Senator Mike Bernskoetter, the new Chair of the Senate Ag Committee, sponsored and is advancing a bill (Senate Bill 391) that will strip Local Control from rural counties, taking away our right to protect our farms, families, water and air, communities and property rights from the negative impacts of corporate-controlled industrial livestock operations.

SB 391 would negate all existing health ordinances in 20 rural counties (that have been passed by local, elected representatives) AND stop any county from passing a new ordinance in order to protect the health and welfare of their citizens.

The sad truth is that Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources will not protect us.

Here are just a few reasons why:
–DNR has no authority to provide oversight of the land application of the millions of gallons of waste that comes from “export only” CAFOs like Pipestone Systems, LLC (a CAFO corporation from Pipestone, MN). So, they can apply the waste right up to property lines, homes, water sources and communities.

–There are ZERO air quality standards for CAFOs with less than 17,500 hogs, 7,000 cattle or 875,000 chicken broilers.

–There are no state setback requirements between CAFOs and populated areas.

–CAFOs no longer have to obtain construction permits at all.

–CAFOs that aren’t “export only” can spread waste 50 feet from property lines and homes and 300 feet from water sources.

This is why it is imperative we protect Local Control; it’s the only way for us to protect ourselves from corporate factory farms.

And CAFOs are targeting Missouri. Pipestone Systems, LLC said in a public meeting that the reason they are targeting Missouri is because we are a “clean state”, i.e we don’t have the animal disease and dirty water problems that plague states with CAFOs.

The sad fact is our Department of Natural Resources will not protect us from the negative impacts of CAFOs.