By Tom Buchanan, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President
Oklahoma is a rural, agricultural state with a multi-billion dollar agriculture industry. It would seem logical for agricultural producers to have the right to produce food and fiber using the latest research-proven techniques. That is why Oklahoma Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm group, supports HJR 1012, co-authored by State Rep. Scott Biggs and State Sen. Jason Smalley.
The resolution, which has already passed in the Oklahoma House, would place on the 2016 general election ballot a proposal to amend the Oklahoma Constitution guaranteeing the right to engage in certain farming and ranching practices.
Makes good, common sense, right? As Will Rogers once said, “If sense was so common, everyone would have it.”
This resolution would make it more difficult for outside interests to come into Oklahoma in an attempt to dictate agricultural production practices. This is not an issue of water use and regulation as certain urban and municipal interests claim.
The legislation protects our farming and ranching heritage, which is no small thing in a state where we have produced food and fiber for more than 100 years.
This will also protect consumers as they stand the most to gain from a safe, secure and affordable food supply.
Don’t be confused by the professional, Washington, D.C., based anti-agriculture extremists and their anti-agriculture message.
Similar proposals to protect domestic agriculture have passed in other states including Missouri and North Dakota and are being considered by several additional states.
