Ag panel set to meet in Charleston

CHARLESTON -- A panel of legislators and citizens will meet in Charleston on Tuesday to take public input from farmers and other Missourians who have suffered because of the drought.

Rep. Steve Hodges, D-East Prairie, will join his colleagues with the Interim Commission on Agriculture Innovation and Economic Recovery in a series of hearings designed to better assess the affect of the extreme weather as well the ongoing economic recession. The commission will meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Delta Growers Association, Highway 105, in Charleston.

This is the second in a series of hearings around the state that the commission will use to assess the damage that has been done to the state's vitally important agriculture industry.

Members hope to gather input from farmers in all areas of the state on actions the legislature can take to help mitigate the devastating impact of the drought. The first hearing was in Mexico, Mo., and future hearings will be in Mountain Grove and Neosho.

The commission is made up of six members of the Missouri House and four Missouri citizens with a knowledge of the state's agriculture industry. Rep. Bill Reiboldt, R-Neosho, serves as chairman and Rep. Jay Houghton, R-Martinsburg, serves as vice chairman. Other members in addition to Hodges include: Reps. Tony Dugger, R-Hartville; Diane Franklin, R-Camdenton; and Tom Shively, D-Shelbyville. The resident members include: Lonny Duckworth of Duckworth Farms, Lloyd Gunter of Gunter Farms, Brent Sandidge of Ham Hills Farms and Greg Sharpe of Pioneer Seed.

Pertinent Address: Charleston, Mo.