Right to Farm amendment wrong

To the Editor,

AMENDMENT 1

Sure, this amendment sounds great, but is it? Why is it we need to name a right we already have? It is a God given right to be able to grow our own food for eating, sharing & selling for profit. Our Constitution gives us the right also. In our Declaration of Independence IT states: "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" (It makes me pretty happy to have the right to pursue food, which I need for "life"),--that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." Are we to sit around and wait for the "Government" to allow us to grow our food? We are the "just powers" we give the consent.

It will be written in our Constitution saying: That agriculture which provides food, energy, health benefits, and security is the foundation and stabilizing force of Missouri's economy. To protect this vital sector of Missouri's economy. The right of farmers and ranchers to engage in farming and ranching practices shall Be forever guaranteed in this state. Subject to duly authorized powers, if any, conferred by Article VI of the Missouri Constitution.

Life itself is dependent on food! Who will define "Farmer and rancher? From whom are we protecting ourselves from? Try as I might I found nothing in that "Article VI" pertaining to growing food, farming or ranching.

On the ballot it will read: (Compare the Amendment to the Ballot Statement)

SHALL THE MISSOURI CONSTITUTION BE AMENDED TO ENSURE THAT THE RIGHT OF MISSOURI CITIZENS TO ENGAGE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND RANCHING PRACTICES SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.

Corporations have been deemed as "PERSONS" by the Supreme Court. Does this give large agri-businesses' the right as a citizen? Does it have to be based in the State of Missouri to be a citizen? How about the 50,000 ACRES OF MISSOURI FARM LAND OWNED BY THE CHINESE? Will the Chinese Corporation be protected by OUR CONSTITUTION? They don't reside here as a Missouri citizen or do they?

I've nothing against large corporations. They use their knowledge and dollars to develop ways to produce as much product as possible. Their GMO products, though outlawed and curtained by many European countries, are not my choice of food. I'd like to be able to buy from local neighbors, farmer's markets, or organic, when possible. I want to know that right won't be infringed.

Will this amendment protect us? More than likely it will just mean more interpretation by the courts and regulators. More suits that the local farmer can't afford to go up against large corporations.

This amendment was originally worded "TO PROTECT MODERN PRACTICES AND AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY," more favorable to large corporate producers. It was suggested that the changes was more acceptable to the voters.

This is a great web site www.truthfarmer.com by Doreen Hannes. She and like minded Missouri citizens are constantly watching over our legislators to enlighten us on statues, rules and laws concerning the citizens of Missouri and their land. These citizens offered their version of the Amendment 1: in parenthesis what they wanted added to the Amendment 1.

That agriculture which provides food, energy, health benefits, and security is the foundation and stabilizing force of Missouri's economy. To protect this vital sector of Missouri's economy, the right of farmers and ranchers to engage in (direct trade with consumers) shall be forever guaranteed in this state. (No law shall be enacted which abridges the right of farmers and ranchers to employ agricultural practices that secure independent family farm's ability to save seed, preserve livestock bloodlines, or impede their access to market) also this would delete "subject to duly authorized powers, if any, conferred by Article VI of the Constitution of Missouri," that part alone in the amendment is reason enough to VOTE NO!

Those in favor of Amendment 1 would not hear of it! They said it wouldn't protect their "constituents." Exactly who or what persons or corporations are they referring too??? I thought this amendment was for us, the citizens of the State of Missouri. Ninety-eight (98) percent of the farming and ranching in Missouri is done by "Family Farms."

This is a serious thing to add an amendment to our Missouri Constitution. Do we really need to name ALL that we are allowed to do? Could it not be better worded to actually protect all Missourians no matter what government entity or activists wants to stop us? If this is to stop animal rights activists then why aren't they being targeted? Is it just for giving Constitutional rights to a few? I think all the rights should go to those that farming is a labor of love and or necessity!

Have you seriously researched this issue? I HAVE AND I'M VOTING NO!!!!

Linda Cravens

Hiram, Mo.