USDA Sign

USDA provides update on implementation of forthcoming disaster assistance for agricultural producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture provided an update at the Cattle Industry Convention on forthcoming assistance for agricultural producers impacted by weather-related disasters in calendar years 2020 and 2021. “Over the past two years, as agricultural producers have struggled with the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, many have been hard-hit by more frequent and […]

Farm Bill News Graphic

Congress clashes over climate in early farm bill talks

(Missouri Independent) – Congressional Democrats on Wednesday touted conservation programs for farmers and ranchers as key tools for limiting agriculture’s impact on the global climate as they took initial steps to create the next farm bill. One Republican’s response: So what? “We’ve talked primarily about climate change, and I gotta to be honest with you,” […]

USDA website

USDA urges producers to submit applications for 2021 grazing loss assistance by January 31

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reminds ranchers and livestock producers that they may be eligible for financial assistance through the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) for 2021 grazing losses due to qualifying drought or fire. The deadline to apply for 2021 LFP assistance is Jan. 31, 2022.  “Ongoing, widespread drought conditions have resulted in significant financial losses […]

Governor Parson talks with lawmakers as he leaves House Chamber after State of the State address (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel - Missouri House)

Governor proposes record $47.3B Missouri budget as he taps surplus and federal aid

(Missouri Independent) – Gov. Mike Parson proposed massive new spending on infrastructure and college buildings, and still found money to set aside for pensions and future revenue shortfalls, in the budget submitted Wednesday to lawmakers. Missouri will enter the new fiscal year with nearly $3 billion in surplus general revenue, an anticipation of record future tax collections, […]

Galt, Missouri

Galt Board of Aldermen hear engineering report for water system improvements

Benton and Associates Engineers presented a draft preliminary engineering report for Galt’s water system improvements during the Galt Board of Aldermen meeting on January 12th. The board approved the report be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources for future water improvements related to low water pressure and other recommendations and improvements. Filing has closed […]

Little Otter Creek Reservoir Project

Caldwell County Commission announces the award of a contract to construct the Little Otter Creek Reservoir

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Missouri and Caldwell County Commission announced the award of a contract to construct the Little Otter Creek Reservoir. The contract for $14,400,486.75 was awarded to Phillips Hardy, Incorporated of Booneville. Under the contract, a 345-acre reservoir will supply 1.24 million gallons of raw drinking […]

Gallatin City Hall

Gallatin Board of Aldermen discuss 2022 budget and approve an agreement with Allstate Consultants

The Gallatin Board of Aldermen on December 13th approved an ordinance involving an agreement with Allstate Consultants LLC. The ordinance authorized the city to enter into an engineering service agreement for street and drainage improvements. City Administrator Lance Rains reported the City of Gallatin has received notice that D. A. Davidson and Company is willing […]

Blake Hurst Ag Service Award 2021

Missouri Farm Bureau honors six individuals with Outstanding Service to Agriculture award

Six individuals were honored with the Missouri Farm Bureau Outstanding Service to Agriculture Award on December 6. The presentations were made by MOFB President Garrett Hawkins during the opening session of the organization’s annual meeting at the Lake of the Ozarks. The award is given annually to select individuals who have demonstrated their desire to […]

Princeton Missouri School District Website

Princeton Board of Education approves insurance renewal, reviews “Return to Learn” plan and receives update on baseball fields

The Princeton R-5 Board of Education approved the renewal of liability and property insurance December 13th. The insurance is through CPSK and the Missouri Public Entity Risk Management Fund for $77,762 total. That is an increase of $4,275 from the previous year. The board approved the annual auditor’s reports from Conrad and Higgins. A revised […]

Dairy Cows

USDA opens 2022 signup for Dairy Margin Coverage program, expands program for supplemental production

As part of the ongoing efforts to support dairy farmers and rural communities, the U.S. Department of Agriculture opened signup for the Dairy Margin Coverage program and expanded the program to allow dairy producers to better protect their operations by enrolling in supplemental production. This signup period – which runs from Dec. 13, 2021, to […]

Orscheln Headquarters Moberly (Photo by Rudi Keller - Missouri Independent)

Controversial bill would have aided Orscheln Products LLC, under scrutiny for contamination

(Missouri Independent) – Two years ago, a company led by an influential Republican businessman faced off with the state’s environmental regulators over whether it needed to do additional testing for a chemical that health officials worried could pose a cancer risk to the company’s workers.  The Moberly manufacturing facility, Orscheln Products LLC, is owned by […]

NCMC Agriculture Students Participate in State Conference 2021

NCMC agriculture students participate in state conference

Five agriculture students from North Central Missouri College participated in the Missouri Postsecondary Agriculture Student Organization State Conference held in Ozark, MO. Students competed in career development contests, participated in leadership seminars, and toured Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield, Missouri. Students attending the conference were Abigail Neill, Abby Dobbins, Gabryelle Hapes, Rylee Johnson, and Tanner […]

Patrick McKenna Director of the Missouri Department of Transportation

Billions headed to Missouri transportation fund from gas tax hike, infrastructure bill

(Missouri Independent) – With $6.5 billion on the way from the federal infrastructure bill and a newly increased gas tax, Missouri is ready to take a big bite out of $4.5 billion in unfunded highway needs, Patrick McKenna, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation, said this week. But that doesn’t mean the state is ready to tackle […]

Princeton Missouri School District Website

Princeton Board of Education approves resolution involving purchase of electric school bus

The Princeton R-5 Board of Education on November 8 approved a resolution regarding a United States Department of Agriculture facilities grant and an agreement involving refinancing bonds. The resolution concerned the acceptance and compliance of the grant. The district hopes to purchase an electric school bus if it can secure enough grants to reduce the […]