Dear Editor:
Missouri has a long and impressive history of having a diverse and large agricultural population. Missourians are proud of this legacy and want to preserve it for future generations. However, this way of life is under attack from out-of-state animal rights groups.
Amendment 1, also known as Missouri's Farming Rights Amendment, would help farmers and ranchers stop those groups that are seeking to alter traditional farming practices. These groups' goals are extreme, non-factual and often counterproductive to farmers' goals of growing food in efficient, safe and humane ways.
One non-factual argument is that Amendment 1 would open Missouri to foreign ownership of farmland. That's nonsense. Foreign ownership of Missouri farmland is capped at one percent. Amendment 1 would do nothing to affect that limit.
Opponents also claim Amendment 1 is driven by big corporate firms. Again, nonsense. Ninety-seven percent of Missouri farms are operated by family farmers.
Amendment 1 is supported by all the mainstream family farm groups from soybeans, cattle, dairy, to corn that came together to form Missouri Farmers Care.
Another non-factual argument is this amendment would protect those who are unsafe or unethical in their practices. Nonsense, once more. This amendment does not protect the bad actors or those who are irresponsible in the care and well-being of the land and livestock. That is not what farmers ask for.
What Amendment 1 will do is ensure that farmers can do what we need to in providing and caring for our animals and crops in a respectful manner. Missouri's farmers and ranchers need assurance that we can continue to farm using the best practices at our disposal, ones which have been based on unbiased university research. We need to have the ability to do what generations of farmers before us have done - raising healthy and nutritious food for America and the world.
We want Missouri's agriculture to continue thriving as the state's number one industry. We think about future generations. Farmers want nothing more than for our children to have the same opportunities that we and generations before us have had.
By supporting Right to Farm on Aug. 5, you are safeguarding your food choices and ensuring safety in food production while supporting family farms. Don't be misled by activists.
Vote yes on Amendment 1 on Aug. 5 to keep agriculture going strong.
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Editor's note: The deadline for timely publication of comments related to Aug. 5 ballot issues has passed. The final batch of letters already received on these topics will be published through Monday. Feel free to leave online comments on our News Tribune editorials (labeled "Our Opinion") related to these and other issues.