Missouri Voters Enshrine ALEC's "Right to Farm" Idea Within Its State Constitution

Missouri Weighs Unusual Addition to Its Constitution:  Right to Farm.  (The New York Times, 8/3/2014)

The narrow margin of victory will likely result in a recount.

• Yes: 498,751
•  No: 496,223

 
ALEC Right to Farm Act

Factory Farms.  (Family Farm Defenders, 10/6/2011)

Corporations are citizens, too!  As early as 1996, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) based in Washington DC began pushing factory farms through its model “Right to Farm” legislation that was soon cropping up in state capitols across the country. This work helped set the precedent for preemption, where state laws such as Wisconsin’s own Livestock Siting Legislation can trump any township or county regulations, eroding local democracy and basically forcing communities to accept factory farms whether they like them or not.

ALEC Exposed: Protecting Factory Farms and Sewage Sludge?  (The Center for Media and Democracy's PR Watch, 8/4/2011)

ALEC's corporate backers.   ALEC's corporate members and funders have included a number of agriculture interests, including Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Cargill, and DuPont, as well as industry organizations like the National Pork Producers Council, the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, and the Illinois Soybean Association. 

Missouri's Amendment 1 was brought to you in part by Cargill.

Ashland 'right to farm' rally halted after debate during question-and-answer session. (Columbia Daily Tribune, 7/16/2014)

Missouri stands with their corporate citizens.  While others clapped at the mention of Monsanto’s name during the question-and-answer session, Welch said she’s concerned about Monsanto supporting the measure and how the amendment’s passing could affect the environment in Missouri. A political action committee backing the “right to farm” amendment, Missouri Farmers Care, includes Cargill, MFA and Monsanto. Missouri Farmers Care reported about $190,000 in contributions in the April-June quarter, with about $478,000 cash on hand at the end of the quarter.

But Cargill and Monsanto don't return the favor.  You won't find their logos or names among the list of supporters.

But you will find the name and logo of those lovable puppy mill suppliers.