Our Opinion: Emphasis on agriculture stewardship

News Tribune editorial

The Missouri State Fair is underway, again shining a spotlight on the continuing importance of agriculture in our state.

In keeping with that focus, the Missouri Department of Agriculture announced a new agriculture stewardship program on the fair's opening day Thursday.

The Agriculture Stewardship Assurance Program (ASAP), according to the department, verifies that Missouri farms qualify as "responsible stewards of the land, provide safe food for consumers, practice environmental stewardship, and use science-based technology for growing a safe and dependable feed, fuel or fiber in a socially and economic manner."

An information and sign-up booth is available in the Agriculture Building at the fairgrounds in Sedalia through the duration of the fair, which ends Aug. 23.

Applications also are available online at www.ASAP.farm. Applicants may print the application from the website and mail it to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 630, Jefferson City, MO, 65101, or call 573-751-2539 to have an application sent via mail. Those who meet the established criteria will receive ASAP verification from the department.

ASAP verification is available in one or more of the following categories: grassland, livestock, forestry, cropland, farmstead and energy. Verification helps farmers gain access to domestic and international markets that they may not have been able to access previously.

Agriculture director Richard Fordyce said: "By and large, Missouri's farmers and ranchers are good land stewards, because they know that it's vital to long-term profitability, sustainability and quality of life for them and those who will work the land in the future."

He added: "Producers today plan in detail, use precision technology and implement strategies to achieve sustainability and good stewardship in their operations. Much of this is achieved through partnerships with resource agencies and industry, but ultimately, it's our farmers and ranchers who decide what they need to do to achieve their stewardship goals on their property."

During the 113-year history of the Missouri State Fair, agriculture has remained the focal point.

And, although technology may have changed some methods, food safety, sustainable practices and stewardship of the land are constants.

Thanks to the new Department of Agriculture program, those practices now can be verified and rewarded.