Oklahoma farmers and ranchers faced with public opinion battles over food and fiber production are hoping a new nonprofit foundation will create a better understanding of agriculture.
The Oklahoma Farm Foundation will be launched Aug. 1 with the primary purpose of enhancing awareness and understanding of the importance of agriculture.
“We must educate people in urban cities and rural communities who want a plentiful supply of affordably priced food,” said Mike Spradling, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, and member of the foundation’s board of directors. “We continually find ourselves defending agriculture production methods. Why should farmers and ranchers have to ask permission to feed the world?” said Spradling.
The foundation provides a funding mechanism for like-minded contributors to support programs that meet the foundation’s purpose.
Examples of foundation-funded programs would include promoting beginning farmers and ranchers and educating Oklahoma young people on the importance of pursuing careers in agriculture-related fields.
