WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) will host two forums on
agriculture in Southern Missouri on February 27th.  Brent Bryant, Executive Director of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association will join Emerson for a round table with ranchers and dairymen in West Plains at 2:00 p.m. CST at the West Plains Civic Center.  Brian Brookshire, Executive Director of the Missouri Forest Products Association, will join Emerson in Rolla at 9:00 a.m CST at Zeno’s restaurant.

 

“Southern Missouri has a diverse agriculture industry – our producers grow everything under the sun except citrus and sugar.  Because we are home to so many agricultural products, we have a wide range of interest in federal farm policy.  In addition, many of our producers have family farms or small businesses that have been passed down from generation to generation; they depend on good policies and the support of our government to make a living and to keep their operations alive.  As I work in Congress to represent all of their concerns, I take care to hear from our producers about what they feel is and isn’t working in Southern Missouri.

 

The best feedback on agriculture issues comes from the folks in the fields, on the ranches and in the forests.  These two forums in Rolla and West Plains will enable me to hear from folks who are working in the forest products area right now, as well as to hear from ranchers and dairymen.  Their stories and personal experiences are the best way to communicate our region’s needs in Washington, so that we in Southern Missouri can continue our rich tradition of affordable, safe, secure agriculture,” Emerson said.