Agricultural News
Protect the Harvest Ready To Get Behind "Vote Yes" Campaign and Support Right to Farm
Fri, 08 May 2015 15:50:47 CDT
Protect the Harvest has become a growing force in standing up against activist groups that are against agriculture. During the 2015 Oklahoma Legislative session, Protect the Harvest got behind the "Right to Farm" initiative. With strong passage in both the House and Senate, Protect the Harvest Executive Director Brian Klippenstein commended the efforts of Oklahoma Farm Bureau and members of the state legislature and the authors of the legislation, Representative Scott Biggs and State Senator Jason Smalley for their efforts.
"The vote totals were overwhelmingly one sided in our favor, so it's great to have an advisory role this process," Klippenstein said.
During the legislative session, the animal rights group the Humane Society of the United States came out against the "Right to Farm" initiative through lobbying, along with an email and television campaign. Protect the Harvest responded against their tactic in standing up for Oklahoma agricultural producers.
"You have tell the competing side of the story and they are not used to that," Klippenstein said. "They are used to coming in, bullying their way, silencing their opponents and carrying the day. But when the full story is told, we find that we prevail."
Protect the Harvest will be involved in "Vote Yes Campaign" for the "Right to Farm" initiative in Oklahoma. Klippenstein said there will be a lot of information to share, a lot of disinformation to counter and coalitions to build. In states where the animal rights agenda has passed the biggest loser has been the consumer. For example in California, the price of eggs has gone up substantially, so Klippenstein said there is a lot at risk.
"This is far more about the welfare of the consumer, than it is the producer," Klippenstein said. "It's more so for those that relay upon agriculture, then those that produce in agriculture."
Protect the Harvest aims to be a proactive voice that speaks out on behalf of agriculture. Klippenstein said farmers and ranchers are terrific at growing good, they're great at taking care of their animals and carrying for their land, but they are not particularly good at self-promotion. He said ag producers rely on others to tell their story and play hard ball against their opponents.
Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays caught up with Brian Klippenstein this week at the Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit in Kansas City. Click or tap on the LISTENBAR below to listen to the full interview.
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