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MACON, MO. -- Members of the Northeast Chapter of Missouri Farmers Union discussed renewable energy Monday.
    
Farmers spoke about the benefits of ethanol, bio-diesel, wind energy, and other ways to increase revenue to farmers in Missouri.
    
America imports 60 percent of its petroleum and local farmers say that needs to change.

“When we could be making that energy here, creating jobs at home, creating more work, more income for our children.  So instead of leaving to go to the east coast or the west coast, they could stay right here in Missouri,” said Missouri Farmers Union President Richard Oswald.
 
Members are pushing for congress to pass a Clean Energy Bill to benefit Missouri farmers.

Reporter asks, “What would be the benefits of a clean energy bill?”

“Well obviously less dependency on foreign oil, keeping the money here at home.  All these things I think are things that would be good for us and that we need to do all the brainstorming we can,” said 8th District Missouri State Representative and Northeast Chapter President Tom Shively.
    
Shively encourages citizens to call and write your state legislators about the Clean Energy Bill.
    
Members say the sooner the Clean Energy Bill is passed, the better.

“As we know on the farm, you only get really good opportunities but every so often, rarely.  And when these opportunities come along, you have to seize them and you have to make the most of them because hard times are always coming,” said Oswald.
    
Oswald says some changes need to be made to the bill before it becomes law.  He says there needs to be more emphasis on rural and individual investment.
   
Oswald says this is an opportunity to create wealth if the farmers do this right.