Roy Blunt, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, outlined his plans for agriculture during a meeting held outside the University Center on the Southeast Missouri State University campus Saturday afternoon.

"I grew up on a Missouri farm near Springfield and am familiar with farm operations," said Blunt, who is serving his second term as secretary of state. "My father still operates a farm."

Blunt, who made a half-dozen stops on his trip from Jefferson City including stops at Perryville and Cape Girardeau en route to a rally at Sikeston Saturday, announced the creation of a "Farmers for Blunt" organization to keep him advised on the development of agriculture proposals and implementation of a proposal on an "agriculture position paper," which he also introduced Saturday.

"My father Leroy Blunt is a member of that organization," said Blunt. Also on the new steering committee are two former directors of the Missouri Department of Agriculture Charles Kruse of Dexter and Jim Boillot of St. Louis County.

"We have a number of Southeast Missouri farmers on the committee," said Blunt. David Haggard, a Kennett farmer and past president of the Missouri and American Soybean Associations, is chairman. Others from the southeast area on the committee include Jake Fisher of Portageville, Clyde Southern of Steele, and Rob Mitchell of Canalou.

"Farming is big business in Missouri," said Blunt. "Agriculture adds $3.5 billion annually to the state's economy so it should be treated as a vital component to state programs.

"I want agriculture to be understood," he said. "A governor must go into office with some solid proposals in hand to help promote and develop Missouri agriculture products. We are ready to launch 14 new initiatives to help the state's farmers compete both nationally and internationally."

These include:

Working with the Department of Agriculture and Department of Economic Development to organize a joint mission in Mexico to promote the sale of Missouri products.

Expanding the "AgriMissouri" program to promote sales of Missouri products in Missouri businesses.

Promoting of uses for and research of alternative agricultural products including ethanol, soy ink and agriculture plastics.

Opposing the repeal of the state tax exemption on farm equipment.

An alternative compliance rule that will allow farmers to appeal directly to the Department of Agriculture director for a waiver of an individual rule if the farmer can demonstrate that he can achieve the same results with an alternate method.

Blunt also pledged to place people representing agriculture interests on such boards as Clean Water, Conservation, Clean Air, Hazardous Wastes and University of Missouri Curators.

"There is no question that today's Missouri agriculture faces an unpredictable future," said Blunt. "Factors ranging from the environment, new technology, improved markets, international relations and weather all affect the economic wellbeing of Missouri's farmers and products. A state agriculture policy must be comprehensive, yet flexible enough to compensate for unforeseen developments.

"As governor, I will work to promote and protect our state's vitally important agriculture industry," he said. "Farmers for Blunt will serve as an important resource as we consult the farm community about which programs and policies make the most sense for Missouri's economy.