AG DIRECTOR: FARM SCENE FOREVER CHANGES

Missouri farmers are concerned about conservation, the environment and other issues surrounding agriculture, says Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Tim Kelley.

"The farm scene is forever changing," said Kelley, speaker at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's Agriculture Committee meeting at noon Tuesday. "We have had many changes in agriculture over the past two years, and we'll continue to see changes."

Kelley, who was appointed director in August, is conducting several meetings with farmers and agricultural leaders in Southeast Missouri this week, including four appearances in Cape Girardeau.

He will visit the University of Missouri Delta Center at Portageville and make an appearance at Caruthersville today.

"Missouri is a diverse state in agriculture," said Kelley. "We are among the top 10 in agriculture exports. Missouri is second in cattle operations, sixth in hogs and pigs, and fourth in sorghum."

Kelley said his Southeast Missouri "Trade Mission to Missouri" tour is the second in a series of five he has planned.

"We want to know how farmers feel," he said. "We want to know what we can do to make agriculture even better in Missouri."

The tours are designed to emphasize the economic role of agriculture in the state.

"Missouri farmers produce more than $4 billion in crops and livestock each year," he said. "The Southeast area is noted for its grain crops and cotton."

The biggest challenge for farmers now is "how to market our products," said Kelley. "We go around the world to sell Missouri agriculture products."

Ethanol is one way of marketing farm products, said Kelley.

"But the production and sale of ethanol recently came under fire by the Environmental Protection Agency" he said. "They tell us that the new product, which is used for fuel for vehicles, is `ozone depleting.'

"The farmer is concerned about the environment," he said. "If there is something about ethanol that is ozone depleting, we can fix it. There may be some problems, but they can be solved. Ethanol is one of the exciting things about the farming industry."

Other exciting crops, said Kelley, are some of the non-traditional ones like potatoes, exotic animals, and soy fuel.

"American products are in greater demand in the international market than ever before," said Kelley. "Agriculture products make up much of this demand. As part of the American heartland, Missouri's economy is greatly influenced by agriculture. If we can just level the playing field, Missouri will be a big winner in farm exports.

"We have enjoyed these sessions," said Kelley. "The town meetings give us a rare opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with farmers, family members, agri-business representatives and others who live and work throughout Missouri.

"Missouri is a major farm state and it is important to listen to what farmers are saying about the policies, either federal or state, that affect the way they do business," he said. "Missouri has more than 106,000 farms."

Kelley, of Savannah, said his family owns and operates a 585-acre feeder pig farm in Andrew County.