The membership of the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM), a non-profit, promoting the interests of small and intermediate sized farmers met in Kansas City, MO in late July for their Annual Conference.  Thirteen states were represented.  Major issues of concern to the OCM include opposition to the EATS Act, reform of the USDA Commodity Checkoff programs through promotion of the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act.

Mike Shultz a director of OCM stated, “The EATS Act is nothing, but a Trojan Horse designed to put family farmers out of business and give multinational conglomerate like JPS and China-owned Smithfield an even greater advantage than they already have.”  Dave Wright a board member noted, “It is time to end the corruption within the beef check-off and others and I believe the OFF Act that would achieve that end and continue to see more small farm support than ever.”

Guest speakers at the Conference included Andy Green of the USDA, an advisor on competitive markets to the Secretary and Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX), House Agriculture Committee. Chairman.