A new position was recently created to respond to the issues of Marion County's farming community. An agricultural deputy will oversee over 3,500 farms in the county. The appointee, Cpl. Tim Ogletree, grew up around farming and is familiar with agricultural-related issues. Due to Marion County's approximate 1,500 square miles of land, the new position will help follow up on criminal agricultural-related cases and assist in missing or loose livestock.
One of Ogletree's main duties will be to maintain the county's new Ag Watch program, under which owners can register his or her properties to help deputies return livestock. For the next few months, Ogletree will reach out to local farms and encourage them to register for this program. Registration can be done through the Marion County Sheriff's Office.