Missouri Department of Agriculture: An Overview

“Serving, promoting, and protecting the agricultural producers,
processors, and consumers of Missouri’s
food, fuel, and fiber products.”

History

Missouri has a proud agricultural tradition. In fact, the statue adorning the dome of the State Capitol—often mistaken as Lady Liberty—is that of Ceres, goddess of growing vegetation. The first farms in Missouri were established around 1725 by French settlers in the Ste. Genevieve area. In 1811 an event of great magnitude shook the small farming communities—the New Madrid earthquake (recorded as the worst earthquake in North American history). Devastated villagers petitioned congress for assistance and were granted land in the “Boone’s Lick” area that runs parallel to the Missouri River. The area proved prosperous, and Missouri agriculture became more productive and diverse. A decade later, in the 1820s, Agricultural Societies for the promotion and exhibition of agricultural products began to appear throughout Missouri’s counties.

By the 1860s Missouri’s rapidly expanding agricultural industry needed leadership and assistance. As a result, the precursor organization to the department was formed in 1865. Known as the Missouri State Board of Agriculture, the 10 member organization is best remembered for its “Farmer’s Institutes.” Similar to the work of the modern-day University Extension, the state board endeavored to reach out and educate farmers and farm families. The state board served in cooperation with the Missouri State Horticultural Society and later helped form the Missouri College of Agriculture. All three organizations worked to educate the agricultural community until the 1933 re-organization.

In 1933, the state board was abolished and a new era of agricultural leadership began in Missouri. The State Department of Agriculture was formed, with responsibility for regulatory functions, while the College of Agriculture was given primary responsibility for research and education.

Today, the Missouri Department of Agriculture sets agriculture policy and provides assistance to farmers throughout the state. While the department maintains its regulatory functions, its expanded duties include consumer protection, public health roles, environmental advocacy, agricultural marketing, public information and awareness, and promoting new technology and new uses for Missouri’s agricultural goods.

Office of Director

Appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, the director of agriculture:

  • oversees the department’s budget and operations;
  • determines department policy;
  • represents the administration on agricultural matters;
  • and serves as a liaison to the governor, the state legislature, numerous agricultural and environmental organizations and the public.

The director’s office serves a variety of constituencies and provides a representative voice on a broad range of public issues affecting Missouri farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and agriculture policy makers. In addition, the director is responsible for enforcing state agricultural statutes and monitoring the success of the department’s regulatory and promotional programs.

The director is a standing member of the State Milk Board, the State Fair Commission, the Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission, the Missouri Development Finance Board, the Missouri Petroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund and the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority and is currently a member of the Governor’s Council for Plant Biotechnology.

Housed within the Office of Director are the department’s administrative and support functions:

  • Fiscal
  • Grants Management
  • Human Resources
  • Public Information

Agriculture Business Development Division

The Agriculture Business Development Division helps create opportunities for success for Missouri’s farmers and agribusinesses. Division staff help facilitate growth in Missouri’s agriculture-based businesses by providing business counseling, information and training on a sector-by-sector basis.

Areas of specialization include capitalization, business planning, marketing, industry development, product and brand development and organizational structures. Staff also helps facilitate growth in Missouri’s agriculture-based industries by working with key players such as universities, associations, private sector partners and federal and state agencies to aid in the growth of each sector.

The Agriculture Business Development Division is home to several programs including AgriMissouri, the Domestic Marketing Program, the International Marketing Program, Market News, Outreach and is also home to the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA).

AgriMissouri

AgriMissouri is a branded program designed to grow the demand for agricultural products raised and processed in Missouri. The program represents farmers, agribusinesses and farmers’ markets statewide and plays a key role in increasing consumer recognition of Missouri’s agricultural products through retail, restaurant and foodservice channels.

Domestic Marketing Program

The Domestic Marketing Program is comprised of specialists working with livestock, grain, forage, horticulture, agritourism, farmers’ markets, specialty crops, aquaculture, dairy and natural and organic producers. Each specialist works with specific industry representatives or groups to establish marketing opportunities and promote commodities.

The primary objective is to enhance farm profitability in Missouri through innovations in technology, marketing and economic organizations. In addition to providing one-on-one assistance to producers interested in production, marketing or processing their commodities in new ways, the domestic marketing personnel work with a wide variety of professionals involved in value-added agriculture.

International Marketing Program

The International Marketing Program is a valuable link between Missouri producers, agribusinesses, the forest products industry and foreign agricultural buyers. Specialists work to facilitate contacts between buyers and sellers and assist Missouri suppliers in responding to international marketing opportunities.

The program provides potential exporters with services to:

  • analyze specific market opportunities
  • establish contacts with foreign buyers
  • provide data on tariffs, health regulations, labeling requirements, export documentation, transportation, international financing and payment terms, insurance, etc.
  • plan, arrange and participate in outgoing sales and incoming buying missions
  • assist and participate in domestic and international trade shows and other exhibitions

The International Marketing Program works with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service to provide export sales leads, international advertising and export assistance from agricultural attaches. The program manages an agricultural trade office in Taipei, Taiwan. The program is also supported by state offices and representatives in Korea, China and Japan.

The Market Information and Outreach Program works to position the department as a leader in information and outreach to both agriculture and non-agriculture audiences.

Producers need an unbiased, reliable, accurate and timely source for agriculture market news to remain competitive and to assist them in making wise and profitable marketing decisions. The Market News Program works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue daily and weekly livestock and grain market information.

The Outreach Program provides targeted, high-quality information about agriculture and MDA services to urban, rural, farm and non-farm audiences to educate, inform and engage the public. Staff work with Missouri youth through programs such as the Missouri Agribusiness Academy , the Missouri Youth Livestock Grading and Judging Contest and Building Our American Communities (BOAC) grants.

Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority

Through its Beginning Farmer Loan Program, the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) issues tax-free bonds to lenders who make low-interest loans to farmers and small businesses. Up to $250,000 may be loaned to first-time farmers to purchase land or make improvements.

Through the Animal Waste Treatment System Loan program, the authority makes loans for animal waste treatment systems for up to 10 years at terms below conventional interest rates. Loans can be used to buy land for lagoons, build animal waste facilities or purchase waste-handling equipment—all of which work to prevent potential surface and ground water contamination.

The authority also administers the Single-Purpose Animal Facilities Loan Guarantee program, which provides banks with a 25 percent first-loss guarantee on loans up to $250,000 for as long as 10 years. Independent livestock producers may use the loans to finance breeding or feeder livestock, land, buildings, facilities, equipment, machinery and animal waste systems for producing poultry, swine, beef or dairy cattle.

The Missouri Value-Added Grant program provides grants of up to $200,000 to projects that add value to agricultural products and aid the economy of a rural community. Grants are for activities prior to start-up or expansion, such as feasibility studies, marketing studies or business plans.

The Missouri Value-Added Loan Guarantee program provides lenders with a 25 percent first loss guarantee on loans up to $250,000 for projects that add value to agricultural products.

Loans that finance land, improvements and equipment associated with a value-added enterprise may be guaranteed, as well as loans for the purchase of stock in a start-up cooperative that processes an agricultural product. Loans for plant stock for grapes that will be processed into wine are also eligible for loan guarantee.

The New Generation Cooperative Incentive Tax Credit program provides tax credits to induce farmer-investment in new generation cooperatives that process Missouri agricultural products into value-added goods, provide substantial benefits to Missouri’s agricultural producers and creates jobs for Missourians.

The Agricultural Products Utilization Contributor Tax Credit program allows the authority to grant tax credits in an amount of up to 100 percent of a contribution made by an individual, partnership, corporation, trust, Limited Liability Company or other donor. The contribution must be made to the authority to be used for financial or technical assistance for rural agricultural business concepts.

The authority is administered by a seven member commission, which is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. The director of agriculture serves as an ex-officio member.

Wine and Grape Board

The Wine and Grape Board is responsible for researching, developing and promoting Missouri grapes, juices and wine. The program is funded by tax on all wine sold in Missouri. These funds support the program’s three sections: enology and viticulture advisory services, research and promotion and marketing. Program expenditures provide:

  • professional advice to Missouri grape growers and wine makers
  • applied research for developing grape varieties and cold hardiness studies
  • consumer education to increase awareness of Missouri grapes and wine industry

The program also administers the Missouri wine and juice competition and awards ceremony and hosts the Midwest Regional Grape and Wine Conference. The Missouri Wine and Grape Board works closely with and supports the Institute for Continental Climate Viticulture and Enology (ICCVE), Columbia, Missouri. The program also receives counsel from the Missouri Wine and Grape Advisory Board.

Animal Health Division

The Division of Animal Health, under the direction of the state veterinarian, promotes and protects Missouri’s diverse and dynamic livestock industry. The assistance and oversight provided by the division’s programs ensure greater market access for Missouri’s livestock industries and dogs and cats in commerce.

Animal agriculture accounts for about half of Missouri’s annual agriculture cash receipts. The division administers laws and programs designed to control and eradicate livestock disease and to maintain and enhance the integrity of the state’s animal industries. This includes both mandatory and voluntary regulatory programs for beef and dairy cattle, horses, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, exotic and dogs and cats in commerce as defined by Missouri Statute 273.

The state’s progress in national disease control and eradication is due to the cooperative efforts of livestock producers, markets, practicing veterinarians, other agencies and animal health staff. Through these cooperative efforts, Missouri has achieved bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis Free status, swine Pseudorabies stage V status and avian Pullorum-Typhoid Clean status.

The division also offers informative programs and publications on livestock quality assurance, food safety, environmental issues and disease control programs. In addition, the division operates two state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratories in Jefferson City and Springfield.

The Animal Health Division works to:

  • safeguard the livestock industry against the threat of bioterrorist attacks.
  • identify and add value to Missouri livestock through an electronic animal identification system.
  • inform cattle producers about quality assurance, targeted breeding and cow herd management.
  • increase awareness and understanding of environmental issues that affect production agriculture.
  • present informative programs on marketing and food safety to small poultry producers.
  • inspect Missouri meat processors to supplement existing USDA inspections.

The Division of Animal Health is also home to the Missouri Animal Identification Program (MAIP). This program works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the development of a national animal identification program enabling quick responses and animal trace-back in the instance of an animal disease concern.

Grain Inspection and Warehousing Division

The Grain Inspection and Warehousing Division is comprised of two programs that administer the Missouri Grain Warehouse Law, the Missouri Grain Dealer Law and the United States Grain Standards Act. These laws promote and protect commerce in the interest of grain producers, merchandisers, warehousemen, processors and consumers. They also promote a uniform official inspection system for the orderly marketing of grain.

This division collects and disburses funds for nine commodity merchandising programs.

The Grain Inspection Services Program is designated to officially inspect, grade and weigh all grains that have standards established under the United States Grain Standards. The program provides four primary services:

  • official sampling is used to take a representative sample of grain from a particular lot;
  • official inspection is used to determine and certify the type, class, quality or condition of grain;
  • weighing certification is used to supervise the loading, unloading and weighing containers of grain; and
  • chemical analysis is used to determine the protein or oil content of grain and to determine the existence of mycotoxins in grain.

Services are provided at inspection offices in Kansas City, Laddonia, Marshall, New Madrid and St. Joseph. The program is self-supporting and operates entirely on fees charged for inspection services performed.

The Grain Regulatory Services Program protects public interest by auditing grain warehouses and grain dealers to determine grain obligations and financial solvency.

The program enforces Missouri’s Grain Warehouse and Grain Dealer laws so producers are assured of storing or merchandising their grain with licensed, bonded, reputable and financially stable grain businesses. The program annually licenses approximately 200 warehouses and 400 grain dealers and conducts more than 900 audits and investigations.

Plant Industries Division

The Plant Industries Division is comprised of four bureaus and two programs, which together administer 14 separate state laws and cooperate in the administration of four federal laws. These laws facilitate agricultural production and marketing and provide consumer and environmental protection for Missouri citizens by regulating animal feeds and seeds, providing necessary certifications for interstate and international shipment of agricultural and forest products, ensuring plant pest protection for crops and forests, establishing grades and standards for fresh fruits and vegetables and regulating the use of pesticides.

Bureau of Feed and Seed

The bureau administers the Missouri Commercial Feed Law and the Missouri Seed Law. The feed law regulates the manufacture, distribution and labeling of commercial feed products in the state. Random inspections, sample analysis and label review of feed products and feed ingredients ensure that livestock producers and pet owners receive the feed product guaranteed on the label.

The bureau, in partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, provides the inspection reports and regulation involved with preventing Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly called mad cow disease. The bureau also provides labeling assistance and investigates complaints related to animal feed.

The bureau regulates seed products offered for sale in the state. Seed is inspected, sampled, tested and labels are reviewed to ensure the product meets the labeled guarantees as to test date, origin, purity, germination and other claims that are made. The bureau cooperates with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) seed regulatory and testing branch in regulating the interstate movement of seed.

Bureau of Pesticide Control

The bureau administers laws for registration, distribution and use of pesticides. All pesticides sold and used in Missouri are regulated by the Missouri Pesticide Registration Act. Bureau personnel inspect pesticides for proper labeling and registration and investigate misuse. The Missouri Pesticide Use Act allows the bureau to certify commercial, noncommercial and private applicators and public operators. The act also provides for licensing pesticide dealers and pesticide technicians.

Bureau of Plant Pest Control

The bureau administers laws to control insects, plant pests and plant diseases and administers the Missouri Plant Law, which mandates controlling harmful insects, plant pests and plant diseases through surveys, quarantines, nursery and greenhouse inspections and certification. The law also enables interstate and international shipments of Missouri plants and plant products.

As a service to Missouri beekeepers, the bureau works under the Missouri Apiculture Law to inspect and certify honey-bee colonies. These procedures are required for interstate shipment of honey-bees.

Bureau of Integrated Pest Management

The Integrated Pest Management Bureau administers the Boll Weevil Eradication Program. In 2000, Missouri cotton growers voted to join the national effort to eradicate the boll weevil, a damaging cotton pest. The Missouri Cotton Growers Organization is working with the Southwest Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation to implement eradication efforts in Missouri with oversight from the Missouri Department of Agriculture. This is a grower-funded program paid through assessments on cotton production. The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is designed to help farmers in an integrated approach to pest control. IPM encompasses all techniques available to reduce reliance on non-renewable resources, including pesticides.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Service

The inspection service consists of two programs:

  • Shipping-point inspections assure fruit and vegetable producers that their products meet quality grades.
  • Terminal market inspections assist wholesalers in gaining restitution for products that fail to meet purchase agreement quality standards.

Forest Resources Program

This program administers the Missouri Treated Timber Law to help ensure that consumers are purchasing quality treated wood products. Companies that produce or sell treated wood products are required to be licensed. Routine inspections and sampling are conducted at these facilities to verify state requirements are met.

The program also helps conduct the annual gypsy moth survey, a cooperative program between state and federal agencies to monitor for this exotic forest pest. The Missouri Department of Agriculture is the lead agency in this effort and annually places thousands of traps throughout the state to monitor for the gypsy moth’s presence.

The forest resources program also administers laws associated with noxious weed control and eradication. The Missouri Weed Statutes identify the responsibilities for preventing the spread of 11 noxious weeds species and provide for counties to work cooperatively with the director of agriculture to help control noxious weeds.

Laboratory Support

Laboratories are maintained for analytical support to the seed, treated timber and commercial feed programs and other programs.

Missouri State Fair

The Missouri State Fair is one of the state’s largest agricultural events, with exhibits showcasing livestock, row crops, horticulture and floriculture. It also features agribusiness exhibits and displays of Missouri-produced commodities. Established in 1899, the Missouri State Fair is one of the oldest in the nation. The fairgrounds, which cover 396 acres in Sedalia (Pettis County), are open year round, providing facilities for horse and livestock shows, art and craft festivals, camping, rallies and other events.

During the annual August fair, visitors enjoy educational and recreational activities, a carnival midway and musical entertainment. The Missouri State Fair plays an important role in shaping Missouri agriculture, contributing to the state’s economy and educating the public about the importance and necessity of agriculture. The State Fair Commission, whose members are appointed by the governor, oversees the fair’s operations.

Weights and Measures Division

The Weights and Measures Division maintains surveillance of commercial weighing and measuring devices. The program is administered by the division and protects buyers and sellers when goods and services are exchanged.

The division’s programs are operated in accordance with the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The division also is a member of the National Conference on Weights and Measures and the National Fire Protection Association.

Device and Commodity Inspection Program

As required by Missouri statutes, device and commodity field personnel inspect large and small scales, grain hopper scales, taxicab meters, odometers, timing devices, fabric measuring devices, milk for quantity determination, prepackaged merchandise and method of sale of commodities. The program enforces the Missouri Egg Law and the Missouri Unfair Milk Sales Practices Law.

Petroleum/Propane/Anhydrous Ammonia Program

The program combines a variety of services. Under the program, petroleum dispensers, petroleum terminal meters and metered fuel delivery trucks are tested for accuracy; service station pumps are inspected for accuracy and safety; LPG installations in public institutions and bulk and manufacturing plants are inspected; LPG carburetion in passenger vehicles, school buses and trucks are inspected; metered LPG delivery trucks are checked; and storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia are monitored.

Metrology Program

The Metrology Program conducts tests and calibrates and certifies field standards for state agencies and private institutions. The state metrologist is the official keeper of Missouri’s primary standards of mass, volume and length.

Laboratory Support

Petroleum samples are collected by field personnel and submitted for testing. The petroleum laboratory analyzes gasoline, kerosene, heating oils and diesel fuel to make certain they meet state quality and safety standards.

The Moisture Meter Laboratory ensures the accuracy of grain moisture measuring devices and other equipment.

Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service

The Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service is a federal-state cooperative agency. The service compiles and disseminates state, district and county agricultural information and conducts Missouri’s portion of the National Census of Agriculture every five years. The service publishes state, district and county agricultural data, the weekly Crop and Weather Report and the monthly Crop and Livestock Reporter.

The Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service cooperates with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, University of Missouri and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

State Milk Board

The State Milk Board consists of 12 members, 10 of whom are nominated by the director of agriculture, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. The two remaining members of the board are from the state Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of Agriculture.

Four of the appointed members of the board must be Grade A dairy farmers representing recognized producer organizations. Four appointees are active members of local health departments in the state. The two remaining appointees represent processor and consumer interests. No more than six of the 12 board members can be from the same political party.

The board administers milk inspection relation to Grade A milk and milk supplies to assure uniformity of procedures and interpretation of milk inspection regulations. The Grade A or fluid milk activities of the state are supported by revenue from inspection fees.

The manufacturing grade dairy program enforces sanitation and quality standards for manufactured dairy products and provides market testing of all milk at the first point of sale. Milk procurers, manufacturing plants, field superintendents, testers, graders, samplers, bulk milk truck operators and market testing laboratories are licensed by the State Milk Board.