SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — As federal lawmakers consider legislation to eliminate the twice-a-year clock change and make Daylight Saving Time permanent, Ozarks farmers and local food producers are weighing the tradeoffs between extra evening sunlight and darker winter mornings.
The legislative proposal—known as the Sunshine Protection Act—aims to keep the nation on “spring forward” time year-round. While ending seasonal clock adjustments appeals to many Americans weary of losing an hour of sleep every March, local agricultural leaders in southwest Missouri say the impact on farm operations and rural communities is complex.
At the Ozarks Farm Stop in Springfield, opinions among growers and market organizers reflect both operational benefits and serious safety concerns…