HB 904 -- AGROFORESTRY

CO-SPONSORS:  Merideth, Black, Barnitz, Relford, Myers, Mayer,
Hegeman, Ransdall

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Agriculture by a vote of 18 to 0.

This bill modifies the Agroforestation Act.

In cooperation with the University of Missouri College of
Agriculture, the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry,
the University of Missouri Extension Service, the Department of
Natural Resources, and private industry councils, the Department
of Agriculture is to develop and implement an agroforestry
program to encourage soil conservation and diversification of
the state's agricultural base.  Through the use of trees planted
in an agroforestry configuration, the program is to accommodate
alley cropping, forested-riparian buffers, silvopasture, and
windbreaks.

Agricultural land which is susceptible to soil erosion and has a
recent crop history, marginal pasture land, land surrounding
livestock enclosures, and land comprising riparian zones is
eligible for the program.

The University of Missouri Center of Agroforestry and Extension
Service, in consultation with the Director of the Department of
Agriculture, is to establish agroforestry demonstration areas
and develop and deliver training.

The Director of the Department of Agriculture is allowed to pay
for the planting of trees not to exceed 75% of the cost of
establishment.

FISCAL NOTE:  Cost to Conservation Commission Fund is Unknown
for FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill updates the
Agroforestry Program by increasing flexibility and establishing
the program independent of the Federal Conservation Reserve
Program.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Merideth; Gene
Garrett; and Department of Conservation.

OPPONENTS:   There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Roland Tackett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:46 am