Missouri farmers and their supporters want Missouri voters to agree: Farming and ranching in the state should be a constitutional right.
Lawmakers last year passed a proposed amendment asking voters to approve language making the right to engage in farming and ranching a right that is "forever guaranteed" in the Missouri Constitution.
While lawmakers placed the proposal on this year's Nov. 4 general election ballot, the governor has the power to call a special election for such proposals - and last month Gov. Jay Nixon placed the "Right to Farm" amendment proposal and four others on the Aug. 5 primary election ballot.
So with just two months to go, farming amendment supporters this week are launching their publicity campaign with the help of the state's Republican members of Congress.
"This is an extremely important issue, I believe, for the state of Missouri and agriculture as a whole," U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth, told reporters and supporters Tuesday at the Missouri Farm Bureau state headquarters.
"One of the things we've learned over the last several years is that agriculture has a huge target on its back, like many other industries."
Luetkemeyer and several others mentioned efforts by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to change or limit the way farmers can do their work.
They pointed to the successful 2010 HSUS campaign for Proposition B, to control and limit "puppy mill" operations in the state, including its limit of 50 breeding dogs per operator.
After voters approved the proposed law, the General Assembly rewrote it to modify a number of its provisions.
Dr. Alan Wessler, an MFA veterinarian, also is a vice president of the Missouri Farmers Care group that's promoting the proposed amendment.
"I am concerned with animal rights and environmental activists' group efforts," Wessler said. "Groups with deep pockets and zeal, but who lack good, fundamental understanding about animal agriculture and crop production."
He said the proposed amendment also would help protect agriculture from frivolous lawsuits.
"You have a lot of people," Luetkemeyer added, "who may be well-intentioned and may think they know the right solution to what they believe or perceive is the problem. But the consequences of actions are greater than the problem they're trying to solve."
Todd Hayes, a fifth-generation farmer from Monroe County and a Missouri Farm Bureau vice president, said the proposed amendment "is all about consumer choices, making sure that Missouri's farmers and ranchers can continue to provide the food and fiber that consumers want."
But, for consumers "to be able to decide what's best for them" and for farmers and ranchers "to meet consumers' demands," the industry must be free from "unnecessary, unreasonable laws and regulations that limit our ability and also limit consumers' options," Hayes said.
Greg Buckman, a Missouri Cattlemen's Association regional vice president from Boone County, noted the average beef herd in the state is 36 cows - but Missouri is second only to Texas in cattle production because there are 52,000 herds in the state.
"We're tasked with providing healthy, safe and affordable food for my family and your family," Buckman said. "The Farming Rights Amendment assures us that, if I follow the law, no one can take away the right to raise cattle or farm in this state.
"At the same time, it assures a safe and reliable food supply for your families, at a price that they can afford."
Some critics say passing the amendment will limit others' rights to monitor agriculture operations and expose bad or inhumane practices.
"Farmers and ranchers know that, with rights come responsibilities," Hayes said. "We're not going to defend the bad actors who violate laws and regulations. We also know to act responsibly."
Gary Marshall, Missouri Corn Growers Association executive director, said the campaign will have to reach a lot of people in the next eight weeks.
"We think there's a lot of support out there among agriculture," Marshall said, "and we want to make sure there's a lot of support out there in the suburban and urban areas of Missouri, as well."