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Gov. Blunt announces farming initiatives for Missouri agricultureBy Doug Rich Gov. Matt Blunt began his luncheon address at the Governor's Conference on Agriculture with an explanation of why he decided to hold the event in St. Louis, this year. "We are in St. Louis for a very, very, good reason, because agriculture has a big impact on every part of our state and a tremendous impact on the St. Louis region," Blunt said. "Agriculture has a $23 billion impact on the St. Louis regional economy, where 20 percent of the workforce is involved in agricultural related activities." "Some of the most important cutting edge innovations in agriculture are being done in the St. Louis region," Gov. Blunt said. "Agriculture, indeed, affects every person in the state of Missouri as we strengthen our position as a center of economic activity." Gov. Blunt announced three initiatives that will continue his efforts to grow agriculture and strengthen family farming in Missouri. Gov. Blunt announced his plan to help Missouri dairy farms through Dairy Parlor Renovation Grants. These grants will provide financial assistance to producers who need to upgrade older milking facilities. The governor is asking for $200,000 to help producers make needed renovations in the first year. The grant will require producers to share 50 percent of the costs and will be awarded up to $10,000 per grant. New technology and designs can help producers cut their milking time and be more efficient. "In the past few years, we have gone from being a milk exporter to a milk importer and we want to turn that around," Gov. Blunt said. Gov. Blunt will recommend $4 million in new funding for Port Authority capital improvement projects. These projects include: --$2,325,000 for material handling improvements, harbor construction and completion of a conveyor system at the New Bourbon Regional Port Authority. --$650,000 for extension of the rail spur to the dock for direct barge-to-rail access and to the north side of the harbor to serve the north harbor site at the New Madrid County Port Authority. --$721,558 for dock improvements and dike construction to upgrade the existing infrastructure to serve the existing industry and meet the demand of increased rail traffic at the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority. --$225,000 for upgrade to one of the two docks located at the City of St. Louis Port Authority. --$78,442 for installation of a truck scale needed to weigh inbound and outbound trucks transporting fertilizer and other bulk products. Missouri farmers use the state's rivers as an environmentally friendly way to move their products to market. Gov. Blunt said he would continue to fight efforts to change the primary function of the Missouri River away from transportation. The future of agriculture in Missouri received a boost from Gov. Blunt's announcement to establish the Farm Legacy Exchange Program that will facilitate the succession planning. This program will match beginning farmers with farmers nearing retirement, to help form a working relationship and strategy to transition farming responsibilities and designated assets from existing farmers to beginning farmers. The program will help young farmers address the rising cost of farmland through collaboration with experienced farmers considering phasing out their operations. It will match veteran producers ready to retire with younger farmers, based on a survey of each farmer. The program will provide estate planning, legal contacts and access to all the financial incentive programs administered through the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority. "Missouri agriculture is the backbone of our economy and we will continue to do everything we can to help our farm families succeed, across the state," Gov. Blunt said. Doug Rich can be reached by phone at 785-749-5304 or by e-mail at richhpj@aol.com.
1/14/08 Date: 1/10/08
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