Agriculture Archives - Missourinet

Maple Leaf Festival organizers expect 70,000 to 80,000 on Saturday in southwest Missouri town (AUDIO)

October 17, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

More than 70,000 people are expected to travel to the small southwest Missouri town of Carthage for Saturday’s 53rd annual Maple Leaf Festival, which celebrates the town’s glorious fall colors.

The popular Maple Leaf Festival parade in Carthage is southwest Missouri’s largest parade (2017 photo courtesy of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce)

Carthage is known as the Maple Leaf City. While the festival is a month-long event, Saturday is the biggest day. Carthage Chamber of Commerce President Mark Elliff says the festival, which began in 1966 as a marching band competition, keeps growing.

“Back in the late 80’s I was involved in it and it was a big event then, but not nearly as big as what it is today,” Elliff says.

Saturday’s festivities begin bright and early with a 6 a.m. pancake breakfast, followed by the parade, the largest parade in southwest Missouri.

“It starts at 9 o’clock. Our goal is to have the parade over within two hours because you get beyond that people, I mean they love a parade, but they don’t love it more than two hours worth,” says Elliff.

The parade route is about two miles. There will be more than 150 entries in the parade, including floats and political figures. House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, will join Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe (R) in the parade. Elliff says Kehoe will be bringing a stagecoach on Saturday.

Chairman Smith tells Missourinet the Maple Leaf Festival is essentially a local holiday in Carthage. The town of 14,000 is northeast of Joplin.

Elliff says volunteers are key to the festival’s success. Carthage firefighters make the pancakes, while the Rotary Club cooks brats on the town square, for scholarships.

“We actually start in February of each year beginning the planning,” Elliff says.

Saturday’s events also include food vendors, funnel cakes, a lobster boil, 5K run and a car show. The marching band festival begins at noon.

Click here to view the entire schedule of events for the Maple Leaf Festival.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and Carthage Chamber of Commerce President Mark Elliff, which was recorded on October 17, 2019:

Move to Kansas City complete for two USDA research agencies

October 17, 2019 By Missourinet Contributor

The USDA’s Deputy Undersecretary for Research says the transfer of two research agencies to Kansas City is complete and hiring is underway. Scott Hutchins testified at a hearing this morning in Washington, D.C. before the U.S. House Ag subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler

“Be assured that we are committed to both ERS and NIFA and will thrive in their new location and continue their service to U.S. agriculture,” says Hutchins.

He addressed the loss of employees who elected not to move to Kansas City.

“While it’s true that we have lost some excellent talent in both of those agencies, we have every confidence that we’ll be able to replace that,” says Hutchins.

West-central Missouri Republican Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler agreed.

“Being in the Heartland, we are very excited about this move and concur with you that we have the personnel that will be able to fill these positions,” says Hartzler.

He says being close to the agencies’ stakeholders is really important.

“Our farmers and ranchers support it,” says Hartzler. “I represent the University of Missouri and we are co-hosting a jobs fair there with you in November.”

Hutchins says the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture employees who have moved are happy with the region because of lower housing prices and less commute times. Hutchins says the $300 million in cost savings from the move will be reinvested into the agencies. One-third of ERS employees will remain in Washington.

By Julie Harker of Brownfield Ag News

Parson says Missouri pork industry is helping to keep young people on the farm (AUDIO)

October 16, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri’s governor says getting young people involved in agriculture is critical to the future, with the average age of a Missouri farmer being 58.

Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Chris Chinn (left) and Governor Mike Parson speak at a ceremony in Jefferson City on October 11, 2019 (photo from Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth)

Governor Mike Parson (R) tells Missourinet the state’s pork industry is helping young people stay on the farm.

“And it’s great that the pork industry is kind of leading the way on that, so hopefully they’re going to have a path forward for other organizations to see how to do that,” Parson says.

During a recent ceremony at the state Department of Agriculture (MDA), Missouri Pork Association Executive Vice President Don Nikodim told the governor the pork industry is growing.

“There’s a lot of opportunity in the pork sector and for young folks getting involved and engaged and come on down the line, I think that says a lot about where we can be down the road,” says Nikodim.

MDA notes the average age of a Missouri farmer is now 58, up from 54 in 1997. By age, the largest number of Missouri farmers are at least 70.

Governor Parson has proclaimed October as “Pork Month” in Missouri, noting the state’s pork industry ranks sixth in the nation and contributes $1.6 billion annually to the state’s economy. He says more than 3.5 million hogs are raised in Missouri.

The governor is urging farmers to “tell their story”, saying that if they don’t, no one will. Parson tells state Department of Agriculture employees that during the 1950’s and 1960’s, 50 percent of Americans were related to farms.

“I mean somebody in your family was a farmer, real McCoy farmer,” Parson says. “Today, less than two percent of the people share that same ability to be able to share with that agriculture.”

MDA Director Chris Chinn, who farms in northeast Missouri’s Clarence, joined Parson at the ceremony.

Click here to listen to Governor Mike Parson’s briefing with Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth, Brownfield’s Julie Harker and KWIX Radio’s Kyle Hill, which took place on October 11, 2019 at the Missouri Department of Agriculture:

Parson: rebuilding collapsed railroad bridge in north Missouri is critical (AUDIO)

October 15, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Rebuilding the heavily-traveled Norfolk Southern railroad bridge in northern Missouri’s Brunswick is a priority for Governor Mike Parson, who toured the area last week.

The National Weather Service (NWS) Missouri Basin River forecast center says backwater from flood debris caused a rail bridge to collapse in northern Missouri’s Brunswick (October 2, 2019 graphic courtesy of NWS Twitter page)

Parson says crews can’t even get to the area yet.

“We’re still just now now repairing levees from back earlier (this year), but the bridge is going to take a priority,” Parson says. “We’re going to try to get that bridge back up and running.”

The bridge washed out two weeks ago today on October 1, after a debris strike caused by heavy rainfall. Governor Parson tells Missourinet that Brunswick residents can’t catch a break.

“And we’ve been fighting this (flooding) since March 11 and still continue to fight it up there, and we’re just doing everything we can to try to help those people up there, but it’s tough right now,” says Parson.

There were no injuries in the bridge collapse.

Parson says his “heart goes out” to farmers in that area, noting that it’s been a difficult year with massive flooding. He says even when the waters recede, it will be a long way before things get back to normal.

The governor says state officials are doing everything they can to get needed resources to Brunswick, a small farming community between Carrollton and Moberly.

Governor Parson spoke to Missourinet on Friday, after a ceremony at the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) in Jefferson City. The governor reminded a Missourinet reporter that they had spoken about a drought in the Brunswick area, just one year ago.

Meantime, Norfolk Southern has suspended freight train service between Moberly and Kansas City along that route, because of the collapse.

Virginia-based Norfolk Southern operates in 22 states, including Missouri. Their website says they are “a major transporter of industrial products” like chemicals and agriculture.

Click here to listen to Governor Mike Parson speak to Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and Brownfield’s Julie Harker after an October 11, 2019 ceremony at the Missouri Department of Agriculture:

Millions of dollars in Missouri state fairground improvements about to begin in Sedalia

October 14, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

About $8 million in new upgrades and repairs will be starting soon at the sprawling state fairgrounds in west-central Missouri’s Sedalia.

State Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, speaks on the Missouri Senate floor on April 30, 2019 (file photo courtesy of Senate photographer Harrison Sweazea)

Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee Chairman Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, pushed for the repairs and spoke about the issue on the Senate floor, even though his southeast Missouri district is 260 miles away from Sedalia.

“You know I’m from Poplar Bluff, a long ways from here. But we (residents in his southeast Missouri district) take a lot of pride in our state, we take a lot of pride in our state fair. We take a lot of pride in our FFA kids, and our students get to come here (Sedalia) and learn about agriculture,” Libla says.

Senator Libla, who represents eight southeast Missouri counties, tells Missourinet that investing more money in state fairgrounds facilities will pay dividends in the future. He also says the state fair is an opportunity for urban children to hear about farming.

“We need to make sure our farm families are being taken care of, make sure they’re being represented, and this (the state fair) is a good way for the urban kids to also learn about agriculture,” says Libla.

A spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) told Missourinet on Friday that the $8 million in projects at the state fairgrounds are all in various stages of development, with design, bid or construction starting soon.

A complete electrical upgrade to the swine barn is planned, along with a new 150-site campground for exhibitors only. Planned improvements also include a complete renovation to the old sheep pavilion.

Governor Mike Parson and State Fair Director Mark Wolfe say more than 337,000 people attended the State Fair in August.

U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, who represents southern Missouri, says the seven Bootheel counties produce more than one-third of the agricultural products for the entire state. Smith represents the eight counties that Libla represents in the Senate.

40,000 expected to pack mid-Missouri town for popular pumpkin festival

October 11, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Thousands of people are expected to pack the tiny mid-Missouri town of Hartsburg for this weekend’s popular Pumpkin Festival.

Children enjoy the Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival (2018 file photo courtesy of Festival website)

This is the 28th annual Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival. Festival treasurer and parade coordinator Jeri Cooper tells Missourinet they’re expecting about 40,000 people to attend the event, which takes place Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday morning’s parade begins at 9.

Hartsburg is in Boone County, between Columbia and Jefferson City. Its population is about 100.

The Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival started in 1991 as a celebration of the pumpkin and the promotion for Hartsburg, which is known as “The Garden Spot of Boone County” for its rich Missouri bottom soil. Some of the most productive farmland in the state can be found there.

Hartsburg produces fruits and vegetables as well.

The event, including parking, is free. With thousands of vehicles coming into the small town, most people will park in area fields, and others park along the roadside. The festival will be operating trams and shuttles.

Organizers also encourage you to bring cash to the festival, since some vendors don’t access debit or credit cards.

Traffic will be heavy along Highway 63. Mizzou’s 108th Homecoming is also taking place Saturday in Columbia, with thousands of people heading there.

You can find more information about the pumpkin festival here.

Dog survives squabble with bobcat in northern Missouri

October 11, 2019 By Missourinet Contributor

Bobcat photo courtesy of Missouri Department of Conservation

A dog is recovering from getting into a scuffle this week with a bobcat near northern Missouri’s Mexico. According to Audrain County Conservation Agent Norman Steelman, bobcats don’t typically come that close to homes.

Steelman tells Missourinet affiliate KXEO in Mexico that bobcat reports are becoming more common in the area and encourages Missourians to leave them alone if they see one. There are currently no known diseases involving bobcats in Audrain County.

The big cat did not survive. Its remains are being sent to the Missouri Department of Conservation Resource Science Division.

Fatality rate on rural American roads is double that of urban roads, Chao tells St. Louis audience

October 8, 2019 By Missourinet Contributor

(This story is written by Missourinet St. Louis contributor Jill Enders)

ST. LOUIS- The U.S. Transportation Secretary traveled to St. Louis on Tuesday to unveil a new initiative aimed at addressing disparities in transportation infrastructure in rural America.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao speaks to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation officials in St. Louis on October 8, 2019 (Jill Enders photo)

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao delivered the keynote address at the annual American Association of State Highway and Transportation officials meeting, which is taking place at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel. She emphasizes that the fatality rate on rural America roads is twice that of urban roads.

Chao has announced a new program called the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success initiative, which is known as R.O.U.T.E.S.

“Rural America, which has a disproportionately high rate of fatalities and is historically neglected, needs to have its transportation needs addressed,” Chao tells the audience.

“We will bring together leaders and staff in key infrastructure modes – highways, aviation, transit and railroads, to examine grant programs’ potential to better support the nation’s critical rural transportation infrastructure,” Chao adds.

The main focus of her address was the high rate of traffic fatalities in rural America. Secretary Chao cites numerous transportation safety statistics.

“Rural communities and their transportation networks are vital to our nation. 69 percent of the nation’s lane miles are in rural areas. Two-thirds of rail freight originates in rural areas. But rural transportation infrastructure is challenged by disparities. The disproportionate rate of crash fatalities in rural areas is especially alarming. 19 percent of Americans live in rural areas. Yet, 72 percent of large truck occupant fatalities, 67 percent of pickup occupant fatalities and 58 percent of SUV occupant fatalities occur in rural areas. The fatality rate on rural roads is twice that on urban roads,” Secretary Chao tells the audience.

She’s also announced the formation of a rural transportation infrastructure council to lead this initiative. It will be called the ROUTES Council.

This new internal deliberative body at the Department will identify critical rural transportation concerns and will coordinate efforts among DOT’s different modal administrations. The Council will also create a rural resources handbook and will hold its first meeting in November.

Elaine Chao served as the U.S. Labor Secretary from 2001-2009 under President George W. Bush, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website notes she is the first Asian-American woman to be appointed to the President’s cabinet in American history.

The U.S. Transportation Department was established by Congress in October 1966.

Libla: a user tax for Missouri transportation is still a conservative position (AUDIO)

October 8, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The chairman of the Missouri Senate Transportation Committee supports a gasoline tax increase, saying that our roads and bridges must be funded adequately.

State Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, speaks on the Missouri Senate floor on January 10, 2019 (file photo courtesy of Senate photographer Harrison Sweazea)

State Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, chairs the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety committee. He tells Missourinet we’ve funded roads and bridges for 95 years in Missouri with a gas tax.

“Back in the day when I first became a Republican, a user tax was a conservative Republican position,” Libla says. “And I still believe so today. I think those who use the roads should help pay for them.”

Missouri’s 17-cent per gallon gas tax has remained the same since 1996. Voters rejected a proposed ten-cent gas tax increase in November.

Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe (R) notes Missouri has the seventh-largest infrastructure system, but ranks 49th in funding.

Libla, who represents eight southeast Missouri counties, emphasizes that local officials help to decide key projects.

“We have planning commissions all over this state, so it’s not just a few people deciding where a new road or a new intersection goes in or a new four-lane or whatever,” says Libla.

He says transportation is critical for both urban and rural residents, noting Missouri’s $88 billion agricultural industry is the state’s top industry.

Meantime, Chairman Libla says the heavily-traveled stretch of Highway 50 between California and Sedalia in mid-Missouri needs to be four-laned. He says it’s similar to some highways in his sprawling district.

“It’s two-lane, you have some people wanting to drive the speed limit, you have some who want to drive 15 mile (per hour) under it. And you get a lot of backup, people get impatient, so on and so forth,” Libla says.

The state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) included the Highway 50 project from California to Sedalia in the August 2014 ballot measure known as Amendment 7, which was defeated at the polls. At that time, MoDOT estimated it would cost $122 million to four-lane that stretch.

MoDOT also notes that the central district planning partners have identified the next segment of Highway 50 as an unfunded priority. The segment, which is from California to Tipton, would cost about $44 million.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, which was recorded at the State Fair in Sedalia on August 15, 2019:

Thousands heading to rural Missouri town for popular apple festival

October 4, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

More than 30,000 people are expected to attend this weekend’s 40th annual Olde Tyme Apple Festival in mid-Missouri’s Versailles.

The Olde Tyme Apple Festival celebrates the fall harvest. This is Doris Hilty, innkeeper at Hilty Bed and Breakfast in Versailles (2018 file photo courtesy of Beenders-Walker Group)

The readers of “Rural Missouri” magazine have voted the Olde Tyme Apple Festival as the best annual festival in Missouri. Versailles has about 2,400 residents.

It commemorates the traditional fall apple harvest in the Versailles area. People drive from across Missouri to attend the festival, which includes treats like fresh-baked apple pies, apple dumplings and caramel apples.

The event begins Friday evening at 6 in downtown Versailles, with the apple dumplin’ and darlin’ contest.

Saturday’s events include a pancake breakfast from 6:30 to 9 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, and the numerous vendor booths open at 9 a.m. The Olde Tyme Apple Festival parade starts at 10 a.m. at the Morgan County R-II school, and there will also be a marching band contest. There will also be live music on Saturday, and a car show that goes all day.

Sunday’s events include a community worship service and a noon three-person scramble golf tournament at Rolling Hills Country Club.

Click here for the entire schedule of events.