Texas County was recently named an “Agri-Ready County” by Missouri Farmers Care (MFC).
Based in Kirksville, MFC consists of 36 agricultural businesses and organizations that have come together with a collective interest in protecting agricultural opportunities in Missouri. Their partnership has yielded the Agri-Ready County designation program, which is designed to promote counties that support Missouri farmers and the state’s economic interests in agriculture.
The Agri-Ready County designation program connects counties with MFC to encourage and protect agriculture and secure it as a thriving component in the state’s economic future. The granting of Agri-Ready County status begins a partnership in which MFC and its members work with county leadership to promote agricultural economic development.
The Agri-Ready County designation is designed to encourage county leaders, farmers, ranchers and agricultural processors to position the county for agriculture growth and development, encourage on-farm stewardship and encourage partnerships equipping students for skills needed in agricultural jobs. The program encourages local leaders, farmers and agri-businesses to strategically assess needs and opportunities to make sustainable, long-term decisions about investing and expanding farms, ranches and agricultural processing in a county.
The Agri-Ready designation process begins with an application submitted by county commissioners. To receive the designation, the commission must:
•Attest to willingness to promote agriculture stewardship, growth and opportunity.
•Not have any health or zoning ordinances that discourage, limit or restrict agricultural operations of processing facilities.
•Defer to the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Department of Natural Resources for all environmental permitting of agricultural operations.
•Not impose additional bonding, permit fees or insurance requirements.
•Not apply definitions to agricultural operations more stringent than state laws or regulations.
•Allow land application of nutrients at agronomic rates based on data from the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
•Allow the use of biotechnology crops and crop protection products in accordance with their federally-labeled use.
“This basically means our county is very ag-friendly,” said associate commissioner John Casey. “We thought it was important for people to know that.”
Agri-Ready Counties are required to renew their status annually.
For more information about Missouri Farmers Care, log onto www.mofarmerscare.com.