Media

64 Farm Groups Urge Congress to Reject Rep. King’s Attack on Rural Communities

OCM Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 26, 2018 Media Contacts: Angela Huffman, 614-390-7552, ahuffman@competitivemarkets.com Chelsea Davis, 573-808-3553, chelsea@farmaction.us 64 Farm Groups Urge Congress to Reject Rep. King’s Attack on Rural Communities Washington, D.C. – Today, 64 farm groups sent a letter to members of the House Agriculture Committee urging them to reject H.R. 4879/3599. This legislation, which Rep. Steve King (R-IA) intends to insert into the 2018 Farm Bill, is a direct attack on the rights of local and state Read More …

Don’t Throw the Baby out with the Bathwater: Not All Regulations Are Bad

Joe Maxwell

Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) is celebrating its 20th birthday this year. Since its inception, OCM’s mission statement has included the following statement, “True competition reduces the need for economic regulation. Our mission, and our duty, is to define and advocate the proper role of government in the agricultural economy as a regulator and enforcer of rules necessary for markets that are fair, honest, accessible and competitive for all citizens.” OCM has always understood that to secure our Read More …

Farm Group Urges a No Vote on SB 374

OCM Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 19, 2018 Farm Group Urges a No Vote on SB 374 RICHMOND, VA – Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) calls on the members of the Virginia House Agriculture Subcommittee #1 to vote no on SB 374 in today’s hearing. SB 374 is a dangerous bill that would take away government control and oversight of the federally-mandated beef checkoff tax assessment, handing the funds over to a private membership lobbying entity. In 2005, the U.S. Read More …

Cleveland.com | Family farmers question how they’re taxed

OCM Staff

Cleveland.com By Laura Hancock, cleveland.com COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio family farmers are questioning how a beef tax that is supposed to promote the industry is being used. The questions come amid allegations that the organization that receives the tax money is connected to large, multi-national corporate producers. When a head of cattle is sold in Ohio, farmers pay $2 into the Beef Checkoff Program, Capitol Letter, cleveland.com’s daily Statehouse briefing, reported Friday morning. Fifty cents goes to the federal government, Read More …

Serious Abuses of Ohio Beef Checkoff Tax Dollars Show Need for Reform

OCM Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 15, 2018 Media Contact: Angela Huffman, 614-390-7552 ahuffman@competitivemarkets.com Serious Abuses of Ohio Beef Checkoff Tax Dollars Show Need for Reform Columbus, OH – Today, the Organization for Competitive Markets and Ohio Farmers Union released a briefing paper outlining how federal and state funds are being used to prop up and fund a trade and lobbying entity. The Ohio Beef Council, an agency of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, is funneling taxpayer dollars through payroll Read More …

Briefing Paper | Analysis of the Ohio Beef Checkoff Program: Serious Abuses Show a Need for Reform

OCM Staff

Ohio cattle producers are mandated by both state and federal laws to pay a fee to the government for every head of cattle they sell. Known as the Beef Checkoff Program, these mandatory fees are intended to be used for research and promotion of beef. The Ohio Beef Council, an agency of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, collects, administers, and expends these tax dollars. The U.S. Supreme Court made clear that checkoff programs are activities and speech of Read More …

Jefferson City News Tribune | Farming for the future, legislating for the locals

OCM Staff

Jefferson City News Tribune By Allen Fennewald Family farm advocates have a simple request for Missouri politicians: pass legislation to enhance family farmers in rural communities who are watching their way of life dwindle against the backdrop of growing corporate agribusinesses and global trade. The Organization of Competitive Markets and Family Farm Action coalition blame agribusiness corporations’ and international entities’ increasing control of American agriculture for stifling markets and causing a rapid decline in small family farms. Missouri’s rural Read More …

FERN News | Big Beef targets Virginia ranchers with increased checkoff tax

OCM Staff

FERN News By Leah Douglas Virginia State Sen. A. Benton Chafin last week introduced a bill that would significantly hike “checkoff” taxes that cattle growers in the state must pay. The move follows efforts in other states — including recently in Oklahoma — to increase or introduce state-level checkoff taxes, which are charged in addition to the $1-per-head tax collected at the federal level. Many local ranchers oppose both the tax and the idea that it will be imposed by Read More …