Guest Opinion: Stockgrowers group misses mark on rural values
Source: Billings Gazette, by Kendall Van Dyk
August 15, 2007
Over the past few months, Congress has been debating sweeping legislation that will impact farm and ranch families all across the country. Two very important pieces of legislation are the farm bill, which has now passed the House, and various versions of energy reform being debated by both chambers.
The farm bill contains much needed provisions such as finally implementing country-of-origin labeling, which will give consumers a choice and allow Montana producers to compete in a global marketplace where they find themselves on a less-than-level playing field. The energy proposals include incentives for renewable energy programs, like wind and biofuels. Family farmers ought to be part of the solution to our addiction to foreign oil.
America's farmers have a history of helping their neighbors and country in times in crisis - much more than the likes of ExxonMobil and other big energy corporations.
While the debate is taking place, it is my hope that the Montana Stockgrowers Association is doing a better job representing the interests of Montana's farm and ranch families in Washington than they do in the Montana Legislature.
Coming from a ranching family, I understand how rural folks treat their neighbors in Montana. I have a real commitment to protect and enhance the agricultural heritage and unique quality of life in our state.
As a state legislator, my experience with MSGA left me oftentimes wondering whom exactly the leadership of this organization represents.
Questionable stances
The MSGA opposed a compromise bill intended to clarify bridge access laws in Montana's rivers and streams for sportsmen and landowners. I think most Montana landowners treat their neighbors right and want them to have opportunities on Montana rivers and streams.
It was even more troubling to learn of the shady connection between MSGA's smooth-talking lawyer and lobbyist, John Bloomquist, and out-of-state celebrities like Huey Lewis and other wealthy out-of-state trophy home owners who are quickly gobbling up quality agricultural land and illegally keeping Montanans off public waterways.
It begs the question: Are Bloomquist and MSGA representing cattle ranchers or does their allegiance fall to wealthy, out-of-state folks who do not share our values?
The MSGA teamed up with the powerful Realtors Association to fight a common-sense, Republican-sponsored bill that protects all water rights holders in a time of extreme drought. Fortunately, Democrats showed the bipartisanship needed to pass the bill, which was unpopular among Republican leadership. These days, I guess I feel like farm and ranch families need more of a helping hand from decision makers than Realtors and developers in fast-growing, high-priced communities.
This group teamed up with big, out-of-state energy companies to support Senate Bill 407, which would have led to more irresponsible extraction of coalbed methane in Eastern Montana and put livelihoods and thousands of acres of irrigated agriculture at risk. I was pleased when Gov. Brian Schweitzer, a farmer himself, saw through this big energy giveaway and vetoed the bill on behalf of the state's farmers and ranchers.
Free-trade concerns
I also listened to the group's executive vice president, Errol Rice, testify against a resolution urging our congressional delegation to oppose granting the president the unfettered and unchecked authority to unilaterally negotiate free-trade agreements with foreign countries. I asked Mr. Rice if he thought Montana producers could raise and feed cattle as cheaply as the large operations in Argentina.
I never got the truthful answer - which would have been "of course not," but his opposition remained strong. Most ag producers I talk to are concerned with their ability to compete with other countries in a time of free-trade agreements.
If smooth talk, pressed Wranglers and expensive cowboy hats make you an advocate for Montana's farm and ranch families, then I suppose the leadership of MSGA is meeting expectations. Yet, when I think of all the honest, hard-working folks paying dues to the organization, I think they expect more. I think folks out there assume their lobbyists are working hard for the issues that matter the most while educating and persuading legislators to bring rural prosperity to the furthest reaches of Montana. It's those hard-working real Montana families that need MSGA to do a better job for them, and for Montana.
