Agricultural News
Farm Bureau Rallies Membership Ahead of Right to Farm Vote
Thu, 11 Aug 2016 15:53:48 CDT
There will be lots to talk about at Oklahoma Farm Bureau's area meetings happening throughout August, namely State Question 777 - Right to Farm. Farm Bureau's John Collison, vice president of public policy and communications, talked to Farm Director Ron Hays about SQ777 as the vote on the November ballot grows near. He strongly encourages people to actually take time to read the bill for themselves, implying that there is a lot of misinformation being spread by those who oppose it.
"This is not some nefarious act to go after puppies or potholes on the Broadway Extension," Collison said. "This is about our ability to protect consumers' choice in the state of Oklahoma when it comes to livestock and when it comes to crops. It has nothing to do with water; it has nothing to do with any other interest in the world."
Collison quoted agriculture as the second largest economy in the state and said that voters would be for 777, believing voters of Oklahoma capable of reading the bill for themselves. For those, he says, that understand the bill for what it is will see through the rhetoric of the opposition.
Collison says that SQ777 is not just for rural citizens but everyone in the state of Oklahoma. He appealed to residents of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, saying that if they wanted to buy an organic egg or a conventional egg, either choice was great. But it is people's right to choose what they buy that he wishes to protect.
"These out of state groups, they want to dictate how your food and fiber is going to be raised," Collison said, "and we're just not standing for that."
Farm Bureau's message during their upcoming meetings will first and foremost be that the cause needs funding says Collison. He predicts that the interest groups fighting against 777 will likely outspend the pro side, three to one. Despite this, Collison remains confident that the bill will pass thanks to the committed and enthusiastic efforts of the members of Farm Bureau.
"Our members will get out and vote in November for the Right to Farm," Collison said, "and I think we'll be successful."
To listen to Farm Director Ron Hays' conversation with John Collison about State Question 777 - Right to Farm, click on the LISTEN BAR below.
To learn more about SQ777 - Right to Farm, visit their website at www.oklahomarighttofarm.com
Be sure to catch John Collison, who will join Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays for his weekly In the Field segment on KWTV News9 in the Oklahoma City area on Saturday morning at 6:40 a.m.
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