EMERSON WILL VISIT FARMS, AGRIBUSINESSES THIS MONTH

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson will join Southeast Missouri farmers, ranchers and agribusiness owners for the 17th annual agriculture tour that begins Monday. It will run through Aug. 14.

The tour was started by then-congressman Bill Emerson, and Jo Ann Emerson, his widow, has carried on the tradition.

"Although Bill wasn't a farmer, he, like I, believed that if you wanted to know what was happening in agriculture, then you'd better talk to the folks who know the most about agriculture and how it affects southern Missouri," she said.

Emerson, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, will visit each of the 8th District's 26 counties during the August in-district work period.