JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, welcomed numerous Missouri lawmakers this week for a bipartisan two-day event, called “Keeping Current with Agriculture,” which updated attendees on the state of the agriculture industry in Missouri.

“Many people don't realize that the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) is the consumer protection arm of Missouri government,” Sen. Munzlinger said. “They check the scales, fuel pumps and even sizes of eggs for sale. It is their job to ensure a gallon of gas is indeed a full gallon of gas.”

The event started with an afternoon session on July 9 at the MDA headquarters in Jefferson City. Those in attendance heard presentations from different boards and divisions of MDA, and were given tours of the metrology and fuel labs. The event ended with a morning session on July 10 in the Capitol building with the State Tax Commission on agricultural land assessment history.

“I felt it was important to plan time for House and Senate legislators and staff from agriculture-related committees to get together and review the different parts of the department, away from the legislative process,” Sen. Munzlinger said. “I look forward to hosting more of these events around the state as we all learn more about the different parts of our agriculture industry."