Urban farming bill moving in Missouri

On March 22, 2010, the Missouri House of Representative's Committee on Agriculture Policy unanimously passed a bill that would create a task force "to study urban agriculture and vertical farming in Missouri's metropolitan areas," reports Kristin Babcock in the Wednesday Sun online.

Babcock writes that the bill was marked as a "consent bill," meaning the legislation is non-controversial in nature. Indeed, during a March 18, 2010 hearing on the bill, which was introduced by Kansas City State Representative Jason Holsman, several witnesses testified in favor of the bill while no witnesses testified against the legislation. Being a consent bill means the legislation will likely be passed out of the Missouri House without "substantial change."

One of those testifying in favor of the bill was Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser. Babcock writes that Funkhouser testified that in many urban areas of Missouri it easier for citizens to get unhealthy food than healthy alternatives. Enhancements in urban agriculture could affect this reality.

The bill must now be passed by both the House and the Senate to make its way through the General Assembly to the governor's desk.

To read the Babcock article, click here.

Posted: 04/05/10