MOUNTAIN GROVE, MO – On August 8, 2017, Congressman Jason Smith stopped at the Springhill Pumpkin Patch to talk with owner Duncan Smith about the challenges he faces as he runs his family farm in Texas County.
Duncan shared with Congressman Smith that he used to be a dairy farmer, but after being burdened with too many regulations, decided to stop his dairy business, raise sheep and venture into the pumpkin patch agribusiness.
Congressman Smith talked about one regulation that he found to be particularly harmful, stating that there used to be an EPA rule that put a milk spill on a family run dairy farm in the same category as an oil spill caused by corporate negligence.
“After so many years of Washington bureaucrats trying to regulate every hair on Missourians’ heads, I am glad we finally have a President who is willing to work with us to stop these rules and relieve Missouri farmers from burdensome government regulations,” said Congressman Smith.
Last October, the Springhill Pumpkin Patch had more than 5,000 visitors.
“It’s exciting to see the agri-tourism and entertainment industry growing in our area and I hope to get back for some of the Fall Festivals this October,” said Congressman Smith.
This is the fifth year in a row that Congressman Jason Smith has dedicated the month of August to focus on farms in southeast and south central Missouri. Throughout this month, Congressman Smith will visit Missouri’s agricultural operations to hear directly from farmers, ranchers and agriculture industry professionals to get a better understanding of what challenges they are facing and how he can help as they work to feed and supply America.
One of the biggest concerns Smith heard about during last August’s focus on farms was the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulation, which sought to federally regulate every drop of water on Missouri farmers’ land. In the last year, Smith worked directly with the Trump Administration to stop this rule and relieve Missouri farmers from the burden of WOTUS.
Congressman Smith has plans to stop at farms in each of the 30 counties in Missouri's Eighth Congressional District as he has done every August since he was elected. This year’s focus on farms will highlight the people in our area who run these operations and the tremendous impact that agriculture has on the economy and rural way of life in southeast and south central Missouri.
