Agricultural News
AFR/OFU Addresses Policy Priorities and Goals for 2015
Tue, 24 Feb 2015 15:32:37 CST
The state's budget, water resources and consumer education are among the top priorities of the American Farmers and Ranchers/ Oklahoma Farmers Union organization for 2015. At their recent annual convention, members outlined their policy and organizational goals for the coming year. Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays interviewed AFR President Terry Detrick. Click or tap on the LISTENBAR below to listen to the full interview.
With the projected shortfall in state revenue, Detrick believes the state's budget is going to be biggest issue in the legislature this year, so brand new issues will likely not get a lot of attention. The organization looks for some returning issues to be discussed such as the state's water resources. Detrick said AFR is opposed to selling water out-of-state.
"We're not opposed to whatever we need to do to utilize water in-state, but we definitely do not believe in 'a taking without adequate compensation', to the parts of the state where that would come from," Detrick said. "Because that is their resource and recreation from that is a big part of their economy and we have no more right to take that away from them, then somebody else would have to take away our right to farm."
On a federal level, AFR shares a different view from their national affiliation of the National Farmers Union on the beef checkoff. Detrick said they are very much in favor of the national beef check off.
In the coming year, look for AFR to engage in new efforts in promoting animal welfare and animal handling. Detrick said their policy reflects that view through producer education.
AFR also has policy supporting crop producer's use of biotechnology. Detrick said they want to do a better job in explaining GMO's to debunk the false information being shared on social media.
AFR is also putting a big effort in helping and engaging with the state's current and future ag producers. Detrick said they aim to help producers that are just getting started in agriculture and those that already have their own operations, but could benefit from having a mentor. He is a strong believer in having a mentor program and sees a lot of good things coming from this endeavor.
Ag innovations and technology will also be a big part of the future of agriculture. At the convention, Detrick said several speakers addressed what's coming now and what will be out in the next few years. While he can't turn back the clock, he wants to exert his efforts to help those younger than him to get involved and take advantage of some of this technology, because agriculture is going to need it to feed a hungry growing world population.
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