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
Why family farmers support Oklahoma’s Right to Farm:
On Nov. 8, Oklahoma voters can protect family farmers and ranchers from overregulation by out-of-state activist groups by voting YES on State Question 777. Four Oklahoma family farmers explain why the Right to Farm is vital for the future of Oklahoma family farms [Yes On 777].
SQ 777 a hot topic on Nov. 8 ballot:
The second question on the November 8 ballot – State Question 777 – is a measure that has hit Oklahomans squarely in the chest. On polar ends of the balance between rural farmers, big business, a way of life and its perceived threat, it seems few topics have stirred up as much interest [Tulsa World].
Taking a closer look at what’s included in ‘Right to Farm’ state question:
Paul Folger takes a closer look at what’s included in State Question 777 by talking to people who are for and against the proposed bill [KOCO].
ELECTIONS
Trump tells Florida farmers he is winning:
In a roundtable discussion with dozens of farmers at the pumpkin patch, Trump suggested that too much government oversight has hurt America’s farmers. Trump declared that the Environmental Protection Agency “has been a disaster” and “regulations have been a total catastrophe” [Sun Sentinel].
Hillary on agriculture:
While agriculture, like many other issues, has been overshadowed in the presidential campaign this year, if you look closely there is evidence on how Secretary Clinton would approach agriculture policy and rural America [Agri-Pulse].
Stabenow is potential ag (secretary) kingmaker:
Amid the speculation about who might be the next Agriculture secretary if Hillary Clinton takes the White House, one factor can’t be overlooked: Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s participation [Politico].
MISCELLANEOUS
With Oklahoma’s waterways, the present is the future (opinion):
Today, the Tulsa region achieves the equivalent of $1 billion in economic impact annually, either directly through wages paid to approximately 8,000 direct maritime jobs in Oklahoma (3,000 jobs in the 72 Port of Catoosa companies) and indirectly through the 5 million tons of products that are shipped into or out of Oklahoma on the waterway annually [Tulsa World].
America’s farm economy – an uncertain future?:
And in the process, Americans have lost touch with farms- and with the farmers and farm communities that produce the food on their tables. That’s why most Americans are unaware that U.S. farmers today are facing an uncertain financial future, and that our farm economy is the brink [Agri-Pulse].
Food safety plays part in urban agriculture bill:
The Urban Agriculture Act of 2016 would offer urban farmers new resources through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to Stabenow’s Senate office website. It would create a new urban agriculture office at USDA to coordinate policies across the department and provide urban farmers with technical assistance [Food Safety News].
