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Ag groups host rally at MO capitol to protect land rights

A rally in support of property rights was held at the Missouri Capitol Wednesday by several ag groups including The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and Missouri Farm Bureau.

More than 200 property owners and agriculture enthusiasts rallied to push the protection of property rights in the state.  The rally comes as Senate Bill 508 is up for debate which would block private companies from using eminent domain to obtain privately owned land.

Missouri Senator Caleb Rowden.

“Ultimately, above anything else that we do, ‘governments not supposed to get in the way blah blah blah’, you know all the quotes,” he said. “At the end of the day, we should stand up for your individual property rights at all costs, we have to do that.”

Farmers at the rally expressed concern over the Grain Belt Express’ ability to acquire their land. Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe tells Brownfield government should not be able to take anyone’s property rights.

“Try to imagine themselves if somebody just came and knocked on their door one day and said, ‘whether you’ve had the land for 10 years or 100 years or 200 years, we’re taking this land now to use it what we want to use it for and oh by the way, the government said it’s okay’,” Kehoe said. “That’s not what the government’s role is.”

The Senate bill will be tabled if not passed this legislative session.