Senator wants lawmakers to approve Missouri state soil

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Sen. David Klindt considers himself a down-to-earth type of guy. So much so that he is asking fellow lawmakers to designate "Menfro soil" as the official state soil of Missouri.

Klindt, R-Bethany, sponsored legislation on Menfro soil a couple of years ago as a House member, but the bill never came to a vote. On Thursday, his proposal went before a Senate committee.

"Menfro soil is one of the more widely known soils in the state. In fact, the state Capitol sits on it, and it runs along the Missouri River bluffs," said Klindt, a farmer from northwest Missouri. "It's pretty down to earth."

Technically speaking, Menfro is a deep, well-drained, moderately permeable soil formed in thick loess deposits on upland ridgetops and backslopes along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and their major tributaries.

The soil makes prime farmland for soybeans, corn, grains, hay or pastures. Most of the steeper areas support hardwood trees.

Klindt's proposal is backed by the National Association of State Soil Scientists and the soil and water conservation districts, which promote soils nationwide.

"It will be educational, talking to students about the importance of soil and conservation," Klindt said.

Similar measure

A similar measure is being sponsored by Rep. Peter Myers, R-Sikeston. But a hearing has not been scheduled for Myers' measure.

While the Senate resolution does not have the force of law, it is not unusual for lawmakers to designate odd creatures and items as official to the state.

There is an official state rock (mozarkite), state insect (the honeybee), state fish (the channel catfish) and American folk dance (the square dance).

Klindt took a little ribbing Thursday from members of the Senate Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee, which heard the resolution but did not take a vote.

Sen. Bill Kenney, the committee chairman, said after the meeting that the panel would be taking a closer look at the resolution before voting.

"My concern is if we make Menfro the official state soil that we'll get complaints from clay and silt, because those are very valuable soils also," the Lee's Summit Republican said with a grin. "I think it's got a chance for passage."