CNHI
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Democratic state Commissioner of Agriculture candidate Glen Zorn says it is vital for the continued economic growth of the state to have comprehensive plans to protect water resources.
Zorn was in town Wednesday making the rounds to get his party’s message out.
The Covington County agri-businessman and two-term Florala mayor who has served as assistant commissioner of agriculture for 7 1/2 years under Commissioner Ron Sparks, said his Republican opponent, Dale Peterson, is proposing programs already in place.
“I might say that my opponent has adopted a platform that we have been doing for 7 1/2 years,” he said. “That is food safety, industrial development, water issues and renewable energy.”
He said that although the state Department of Agriculture is operating on 23 percent less in the budget than four years ago and 60 employees less than three years ago, the department has “excellent personnel.”
“I plan to give them the tools –– technology and training –– so they can be more efficient and productive in their jobs,” he said. “I also plan to build partnerships with universities and look at ways to make our food and petroleum labs more productive and efficient.”
Zorn said the primary focus of his department would be in having officials in each of the state’s 12 watershed s to establish comprehensive water plans for surface water, aquifers, recharge areas.
He said Alabama has prospered as it has because its primary industry is agriculture.
“We need to predict water needs for the future and in some cases find adequate supplies for the future,” he said. “If we are going to meet those needs, we need to work with scientists to prepare to solve the challenges.”
