EXECUTIVE ORDER
19-11

WHEREAS, agriculture is a vital industry to the State of Missouri, providing a safe, abundant, and affordable supply of food, fiber, and fuel for the state, nation, and world; and

WHEREAS, the agricultural industry contributes $88 billion to the economy of the State of Missouri and employs more than 15% of the state’s workforce; and

WHEREAS, Missouri’s nearly 100,000 farms produce more than $11.5 billion worth of agricultural goods annually, with $2.25 billion exported to foreign markets; and

WHEREAS, 28.3 million acres of Missouri land is utilized to produce agricultural and forest products; and

WHEREAS, farming forges strong rural communities, fosters a thriving business climate, and promotes a high-quality way of life; and

WHEREAS, agriculture provides the foundation for a variety of related businesses, from pharmaceuticals to equipment; and

WHEREAS, low market prices and adverse weather conditions have taken their toll on our farming industry; and

WHEREAS, there is an opportunity for greater in-state processing and manufacturing of Missouri agricultural and forest products; and

WHEREAS, the Missouri Agricultural Foundation, with support from the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, and Missouri agriculture organizations have jointly studied the economic feasibility of food processing and manufacturing in Missouri; and

WHERERAS, the 2019 economic feasibility study estimated that advancement of a new food processing and manufacturing initiative could create nearly 70,000 new jobs, contribute $3 billion to annual and state tax revenues, and add $25 billion to Missouri’s economic output within ten years:

NOW THEREFORE, I, MIKE KEHOE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, upon express delegation of Michael L. Parson, Governor of the State of Missouri, and by virtue of the authority vested in him by the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby establish the Missouri Food, Beverage, and Forest Products Manufacturing Task Force as follows:

  1. The Task Force shall consist of seven voting members and 15 non-voting advisory members who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The voting members are as follows:
    1. The Lieutenant Governor, who shall serve as Chair;
    2. The Vice Chancellor and Dean of the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources;
    3. The Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture;
    4. Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee;
    5. Chair of the House of Representatives Agriculture Policy Committee;
    6. One representative of Missouri Farm Bureau; and
    7. One representative of Missouri Farmers Care.
  2. The non-voting advisory members shall be recommended by the voting members of the Task Force and shall consist of individuals who are collectively experienced in agriculture including, but not limited to, livestock production, crop production, poultry production, forest products production, agribusiness, food processing, food packaging, transportation, education, government affairs, financial services, and economic development.
  3. The economic feasibility study outlined three recommendations for Missouri:
    1. Deliver comprehensive, in-depth business development, product development, and supply-chain services to start-up and small- and medium-sized food processing and manufacturing companies.
    2. Develop Missouri as a leading center in the research, development, testing, and production of foods linked to healthful benefits.
    3. Enhance commodity utilization by adding value to Missouri’s major commodities, including livestock, soybeans, corn, dairy, and eggs.
  4. The Task Force shall focus on developing the following for each of the three recommendations above:
    1. Surveying past and present status, including resource allocation;
    2. Creating a five-year timeline and strategy for implementation;
    3. Developing an operating plan to leverage existing activities and programs in food and beverage processing and manufacturing, including a proposal for Missouri investment; and
    4. Establishing a marketing plan for the promotion of existing and new Missouri-based products.
  5. The Task Force shall report to the Governor on its activities regularly, and shall present preliminary findings to the Governor by October 1, 2019, with ongoing reports through November 1, 2024. The Task Force shall meet upon calling of the Governor or the Chair.
  6. The University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, and Missouri Farm Bureau shall cooperatively provide administrative and staff support services required by the Task Force.
  7. Members of the Task Force shall not receive any compensation for their duties as members of the Task Force, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses associated with performing their duties, subject to the availability of funds.

This order shall terminate on November 1, 2024, unless extended in whole or in part.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 28th day of June, 2019.

[Mike Kehoe's signature]
Mike Kehoe
Lieutenant Governor

ATTEST:

[Jay Ashcroft's signature]
John R. Ashcroft
Secretary of State

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