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Parson: Ag is #1, should be strongly funded
Governor Mike Parson hosts Missouri ag leaders at Mansion, Jefferson City, Missouri
Missouri Governor Mike Parson says the state’s budget for the Department of Agriculture is an issue that will be dealt with. Parson told Brownfield before a dinner with state ag officials at the Governor’s Mansion Wednesday night that if there’s a shortage of inspectors in the department to deal with dicamba damage complaints, that will be discussed, “If we need more inspectors for that then we’re going to take a look. We’ll sit down with the director and we’ll talk about that. I’ve always felt like the Department of Agriculture probably has not been funded to the level I, personally, would like to see it funded to.”
Governor Parson, who is a third-generation farmer, says he understands the need for a strongly funded state ag department, “Agriculture is the number-1 industry in this state. We’ve got to do everything we can to make sure we protect that number-1 industry and whatever that means. You know, I’m going to try my best to make sure they have the tools they need to do the job.”
Parson was chairman of the Missouri Senate Ag committee before being voted in as Lieutenant governor, then sworn-in as governor after Eric Greitens resigned.
From governor’s press release:
“Governor Parson has been a longtime friend and supporter of Missouri Agriculture,” said Dan Cassidy, Chief Administrative Officer of Missouri Farm Bureau. “It is refreshing to know that we have one of our own in the Governor’s Mansion who clearly understands the challenges for every Missouri farm and ranch family. We appreciate the Governor’s leadership and vision to ensure that our next generation of farmers are prepared to feed the world.”
“We appreciate Governor Parson’s willingness to sit down and speak candidly about the issues we are facing right now,” said Mike Deering, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. “As our Missouri cattlemen battle this year’s drought and the effect of a limited water supply, we are confident Governor Parson will continue to work alongside us to address these challenges.”
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