Groups rally at Capitol in opposition of Amendment 1

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A group of about 50 gathered at the Capitol today to show opposition to Amendment 1, the so-called “Right to Farm” amendment on the August 5 ballot, with a rally and press conference. About 10 groups were represented at the rally through their presence and/or speaking which collectively support Missouri’s Food for America.

Missouri’s Food for America describes themselves as “a broad coalition of family farmers, environmentalists, food safety advocates, animal welfare organizations and concerned citizens who recognize the long-lasting, damaging effects of the ‘Right to Farm’ amendment and are working to education the public to vote no on the Constitutional Amendment 1 on August 5.”

First and last to speak was former state Senator Wes Shoemeyer, who founded Missouri’s Food for America, who himself is a farmer in Audrain County. Shoemyer led the crown in several chants of “No on 1” and told many stories regarding the impact his father has had on him and how he believed the amendment will harm the future practice of his now fourth generation farm.

Shoemyer and other speakers touched on their concerns with the amendment nullifying existing regulations on agriculture, as well as allowing foreign companies to farm in Missouri – harming family farms. In a handout from Shoemyer’s group for press members, foreign concerns are touched on several more times.

“Amendment 1 will strip most local governments of their ability to stop foreign companies from polluting and contaminating our land. In China, over 40% of their farmland has been degraded due to corporations maximizing profit over environmental protection,” it reads.

The group’s concern with China was two-pronged, not only being concerned with Missouri’s land becoming like China, but being concerned that the amendment will benefit China more than Missouri economically.

“The only economic benefit Amendment 1 will generate is Missouri money in the pockets of foreign corporations. The Chinese executives acquiring Smithfield Foods – the world’s biggest pig producer, with operations in Missouri – received almost $600 million,” the handout continues.

Further literature was provided to activists and press from Shoemyer’s group – one featuring fresh vegetables titled “Protect our food, Protect sustainable farming,” another with an adorable puppy titled “Protect Prop B, Protect the Environment,” and a third featuring a content pig titled “Our constitution is for us and not foreign corporations.” Shoemyer and campaign consultants/staff encouraged opponents in the crowd to take the aforementioned literature to share with their friends, family, and neighbors to help spread the word.

The Missouri Sierra Club shared their concerns regarding safety within the environment, which they believed would no longer be protected if the amendment were to pass, which was supported by other speakers. Speakers referred to the amendment as “Right to Harm” because of their belief that it will damage the environment through reduced environmental regulations and an increase in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), which are known to have substantial waste runoff and other environmental impacts.

In the crowd was also former Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell, who is currently the Vice President of Outreach and Engagement for the Humane Society of the United States. Though he has been outspoken about the amendment in recent weeks, he did not speak to the crowd, but he did talk to several reporters.

Coalition Partners for Missouri’s Food for America include: Sierra Club, Sustainable Farms and Communities, Columbia Climate Change Coalition, the Humane Society of the United States, Missouri Citizens for Change, Blue Ribbon Morgans (Kansas City), Olea Estates (St. Louis), Root Cellar (Columbia), Season + Square (Kansas City), Peoples’ Visioning, Melinda Hemmelgarn (Registered Dietitian Host, Food Sleuth Radio), and Natural Resources Defense Council. Also listed as partners are the Democratic central committees of Dade County, Gasconade County, Platte County, Pike County, Cape Girardeau County, Boone County, Camden County and Putnam County, along with the Democratic legislative committees of the 8th, 30th, 31st, 56th, 71st, 73rd, 107th, 111th, and 153rd Districts.

The Missouri Republican Party has endorsed the amendment.

Soon after the rally, Missouri Farmers Care sent a press release calling Missouri’s Food for America a “HSUS-Funded front group” that is “not a friend to agriculture.” The release lists an equally lengthy list of supporting groups to proponents of the amendment.

View the Missouri Times’ slideshow of the rally for more pictures.