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, longterm 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.
• llow 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.