Owners: Ron Boyer and Karen McKinnis
Location: Fair Grove, Mo.
Company History: About two and a half years ago, Ron retired from the position of Assistant Director of the Springfield Greene County Health Department. His work with the dairy inspection program, water program and other environmental issues of the department led him to continue advising agribusiness and farm owners in the region as a consultant.
Ron grew up on a dairy farm, and still raises horses on his farm. He has always had an interest in working to protect agriculture and the environment. Part of Ron’s consulting work has been exclusively for dairies, because of his experience with the health department. He has done environmental audits, and has worked for Missouri Enterprise, which helps small businesses get started. “My vision for the company was to help people in agribusiness resolve environmental issues and help them navigate through the bureaucracy. I can also help companies with grant applications.”
Products and Services: “I want to help agriculture businesses and farms solve their environmental and energy problems. I can help them understand government programs, and apply for grant funding. One of the things I can do, that is a specialty, is deal with the paperwork. I am a good writer, I understand bureaucracy and I can perform energy or environmental audits. I can set up a plan that relates to best management practices, particularly in regards to animal waste. I have done considerable research on converting animal waste to methane gas. The things I can do for the dairy farmer include going over best management practices and meeting water quality standards. I also serve on the Missouri Air Conservation Commission. I’ve been involved in hazardous waste programs, energy audits to help farmers and agriculture businesses reduce energy consumption. With projects that don’t exactly fit my expertise, I have a lot of associates I can go to for help, but basically it’s a one man business. I’m an environmentalist, and I have been my whole career. I’m a skeptic of man made climate change. Climate change has been a diversion that’s hurt the environmental movement.” In part because of his research on the topic of climate change, Ron has found the federal government currently has record amounts of money available for environmental and energy projects, and he wants to help farmers and agribusinesses find and receive that money.
Any advice for the dairy farmer right now?
“In bad economic times, sometimes it’s difficult to get the money to make needed changes. Some dairies are going to grazier-type operations. That is one option; another farm might not be suitable for that system. During these hard times, dairy farms have one choice, reduce operational costs to as low as possible, and hold on.”
What are your goals for the future?
“Let me just say up front, I have very reasonable rates. I’m not out to get rich in this business. I want to stay busy. I am concerned about the environment and I am concerned about Missouri agriculture. I want to be able to help row crop, dairy or beef farmers. They all have big concerns. Most farming operations are fairly small. Surefire Strategies is also a small operation. I understand their problems, and I’m easy to talk to.”
By OFN Staff
