WHEN THE FARM BUREAU SPEAKS, PEOPLE LISTEN

JACKSON -- When more than 80,000 farm families speak, people listen.

That is the message that Charles Kruse delivered to more than 250 persons who gathered at the Knights of Columbus Hall at Jackson Friday night.

Kruse, president of the Missouri Farm Bureau, a statewide organization with more than 80,000 farm families as members, was keynote speaker during the Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau's annual meeting.

Prior to Kruse's address, Robert Nitsch, president of the Cape County Farm Bureau, said a local membership drive that is still under way has already surpassed the goal of 1,071 members.

"Today, our membership is at 1,108," said Nitsch.

The bureau presented the "Friend of the Farmer Award" to B. Ray Owen of the Southeast Missourian staff, in appreciation of his efforts to tell "the farmer's story" on the county and state level. The award was last presented three years ago.

The Missouri Farm Bureau was involved in a number of issues during the past year. The Farm Bureau monitors legislation at both the state and federal levels.

"One of the primary issues during the past year was the property righ6s bill," said Kruse. "A year ago, the Farm Bureau gathered petitions to let legislators know the importance of this issue to everyone in the state of Missouri."

The legislature passed the bill, which requires governmental agencies to first determine if the "taking" of private property occurs before rules and regulations are issued. But the governor vetoed the bill.

"We started again," said Kruse. "We gathered more petitions."

The Missouri legislature passed the property rights legislation again this year and, this time, the governor signed it.

Another big issue for the Farm Bureau last year was the BTU tax plan.

"The American farmer was very involved in this issue," he said. "The tax proposal in Washington would have been a devastating one to Missouri farmers. The Farm Bureau got involved and collected thousands of signatures, and we delivered them to Missouri legislators in Washington."

When the vote came, the bill squeaked by in the House. But it lost in the Senate.

Kruse also praised the NAFTA legislation. "Missouri farmers will see some positive benefits from this bill. We're a good fit for the Mexican market."