Agricultural News
Oklahoma Agricultural Groups Launch Educational Campaign Ahead of Statewide Vote for State Question 777
Sun, 25 Oct 2015 14:31:21 CDT
Oklahoma's agricultural groups have begun to roll out efforts to educate the public about State Question 777. This is known as the "Right to Farm" Constitutional Amendment that will be voted on by Oklahomans in November 2016. Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanan said every farm group in the state is 100 percent behind the effort. The first phase is educating urban neighbors about why the amendment is needed. He said there is no constitutional authority that really gives Oklahomans the right to farm and ranch and he believes it's time to protect the state's second largest economic impact driver in the state - agriculture.
State Question 777 provides broad protection to the state's agricultural producers. Buchanan said the legislation provides the same protection to a small farmer, as a large one. He said it also protects crop producers, just the same as an animal producer. Whether a farmer grows cotton in southwestern Oklahoma or produce for a farmers market in the state's urban areas, Buchanan said passage of this state question will be of great benefit.
"We feel this reaches across the broad spectrum that allows Oklahoma agriculture to continue to prosper, not only today but into the future," Buchanan said. "It allows those future generation of agriculturalists to be just as good for Oklahoma as the past has been."
The grass-roots effort is getting underway statewide. Buchanan urges agricultural producers to stop by their county Farm Bureau office to pick up material and get involved. Members of other agricultural organizations like the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association is also looking for support in getting the message out. While Buchanan is confident rural Oklahoma will support State Question 777, he believes every rural Oklahoman can do their part to reaching out to family and friends that live in the state's urban areas.
"We need to be talking to them on-on-one and explaining to them why this good for them... for them to vote yes and support this issue," Buchanan said.
If approved by a vote of the people in November 2016, State Question 777 will amend the state constitution and declare that the right to farm and ranch in this state will be protected.
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays sat down with Buchanan to talk about State Question 777. Click or tap on the LISTEN BAR below to hear their conversation.
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