OKAgPolicy Today is a morning email containing the day’s top agriculture and policy headlines. The inclusion of a particular story does not equal an endorsement. Subscribe to the email here.
TOP HEADLINES
Oklahoma becomes a battleground over ‘right to farm’ measure:
At the center of the debate is the question of how much control state lawmakers and local leaders should have in regulating agriculture — a lifeblood of rural Oklahoma [Enid News & Eagle].
Trump VP pick draws rave reviews from agriculture:
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has tapped Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate, much to the delight of those who have in worked with Pence on ag issues [Agri-Pulse].
STATE
Oklahoma voters should note potential ripple effects of two state questions:
The “elevator pitch” version of two state questions likely to go before Oklahoma voters this fall sounds appealing. But the potential unintended consequences of both measures are leading a growing list of community leaders to oppose them [The Oklahoman].
Schools may not offer popular fundraiser sausage:
Purchasing a roll of bulk sausage often sold by school organizations for fundraisers could prove difficult this year as a result of the company’s decision to promote passage of the controversial Right to Farm amendment on its packaging [Muskogee Phoenix].
The problem with our state budget isn’t that anyone’s piece of the pie is too small; it’s the pie that’s the problem (editorial):
Because of unwise tax cuts, overly generous tax incentives and a statewide recession led by the petroleum industry, the state doesn’t have enough money to do its job. The solution is simple: Reverse the tax cuts and reduce the incentives [Tulsa World].
FEDERAL
Conaway wants Trump ag policy to revolve around food cost (audio):
This week, Republicans from across the country will gather in Cleveland for the party’s national convention and to rally around presumptive nominee Donald Trump [Agri-Pulse].
The GMO vote: A breakdown:
While many in the food and agriculture industries were celebrating the end of the legislative battle for mandatory labeling, keep in mind we still have the rulemaking process to look forward to. MA combed the vote for insight on where lawmakers fell on the issue [Politico].
Bayer raises bid for Monsanto as investors still skeptical:
Bayer AG has raised the stakes in its attempt to buy Monsanto Co. and create a chemical and agricultural giant [Bloomberg].
MISCELLANEOUS
Paying farmers to go organic, even before the crops come in:
The clamor for organic crops is so intense that major food brands, like General Mills, Kellogg and Ardent Mills, are helping to underwrite the switch. General Mills, for instance, recently signed a deal to help convert about 3,000 acres to organic production of alfalfa and other animal feeds [New York Times].
Inside the lives of farmworkers: Top 5 lessons I learned on the ground:
Most of us — and by “us,” I mean urban and suburban consumers like me — don’t usually get to meet the people who pick our apples, oranges or strawberries. So about a year ago, I decided to launch a series of stories about the people who harvest some of America’s iconic seasonal foods [NPR].
