Special advocate for Missouri farmers approved by Senate

A special advocate for Missouri farmers has been approved by the state Senate…after attacks from some who don’t think the state needs one. An Agricultural Advocate, with a staff of five, and authority to lobby or litigate on behalf of Missouri farmers, would be part of the state agriculture department. Critics say the state does not need another bureaucracy when it has a state agriculture department. Butler Senator Harold Caskey says various organizations representing farmers and the commodities they produce asked for creation of the advocate, to protect farmers from unfair regulation. The House still must approve the bill before the Governor decides whether to sign it into law.