Graves, Leaders Voice Support for 'Right to Farm'

News Article

By Ray Scherer
A congressman gathered with agricultural leaders and producers Thursday in St. Joseph to assist a campaign toward guaranteeing the right to farm in Missouri.

North Missouri Congressman Sam Graves joined a chorus of officials from the region to promote Amendment One, a proposal set to appear on the state's Aug. 5 primary ballot. The measure seeks to offer protection to farmers engaged in growing crops and ranchers raising livestock. A presentation on the amendment and campaign kickoff was held at the Buchanan County Farm Bureau office on South Woodbine Road.

As proposed, the Missouri Farming Rights Amendment will ask voters to approve inserting language into the constitution stating that agriculture provides food, energy, health benefits, and security as a foundation for the state's economy.

Mr. Graves said the call for amending the constitution for farmers stems from an "onslaught of radical groups" that are bringing lawsuits against the industry. Those efforts, he said, are meant to derail agricultural practices and the way farmers conduct their daily business.

"A lot of this is being driven by Washington policies," Mr. Graves said. Such federal policies would become "far too restrictive," he added.

Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst, who is from Atchison County, praised Mr. Graves for helping support the amendment. Agriculture is vital to the state economy by providing about $10 million annually in cash receipts, he said, and through one in six Missourians working in the industry. Those jobs span the state and involve such areas as agribusiness, research, and education. Missouri is the second most diverse agricultural state behind California, he added.

"You'll still be able to do this," he said of consumers' ability to continue purchasing locally raised food. Organic food would still be available as well as an option. Mr. Hurst said the amendment would be a boost for single mothers raising families who are forced to spend heavily on groceries.

"We need the protections in order to be able to continue to do that," he said.

Mr. Hurst pointed to Missouri's Proposition B -- which voters passed in 2010 -- as another rationale for the amendment. The law sought to crack down on disreputable dog breeders and improve animal care. However, lawmakers overhauled portions of the proposition in 2011 that softened the restrictions. He said the proposition served as a wake-up call for agriculture.

There is a concern for the state's declining number of farmers, he said, despite technological changes in agriculture that have benefited consumers.

State Rep. Delus Johnson, R-St. Joseph, said he recalled how the proposition created a "firestorm" in the Missouri General Assembly. He cited special interests from eastern states for generating discussion that led to the proposal.

"They've got this different level of thinking," Mr. Johnson said. "It's important we take the action here."

Kevin Hurst, of the Missouri Corn Growers Association, said the amendment would help producers cultivate the crop in an environmentally friendly way. He said it would also assure that his children remain a part of agriculture in the future.

"We feel like it's the right thing to do," said Ron Blakley, who farms along the Missouri River and represents a levee and drainage district association.

Officials kicked off a campaign for the amendment earlier in the week in such cities as Springfield and Columbia. Mr. Graves traveled to Kansas City later in the day to lobby for the amendment with fellow Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat.

Dan Cassidy, chief administrative officer for the Missouri Farm Bureau, said the organization is part of a 44-member coalition advocating for the amendment.

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