LANKFORD SHOWCASES OKLAHOMA AG COMMUNITY PRIORITIES TO LEAD REPUBLICAN ON AG COMMITTEE AHEAD OF FARM BILL

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Senator John Boozman (R-AR), the lead Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, were in Oklahoma City for a roundtable discussion with stakeholders to hear Oklahomans’ priorities for the Senate Farm Bill—particularly the need for Senator Lankford’s SOIL Act, which provides oversight and transparency for foreign purchases of US ag land that could threaten national security.

“I am grateful to be joined by Senator Boozman today to hear directly from Oklahoma agriculture leaders who help feed and clothe, Oklahoma, the nation, and the world,” said Lankford. “When the Farm Bill is written this fall, we want to make sure Oklahoma concerns are addressed. We met with Oklahoma farmers, ranchers and nutrition specialists to hear their ideas on crop insurance, credit programs, crop and livestock risk mitigation programs, trade priorities, food & nutrition, drought prevention & conservation, and much more. We visited two of Oklahoma’s land grant universities—Langston University and Oklahoma State University—to learn more about the incredible research that’s happening in our state which will increase production for Oklahoma and the world. We also met with Oklahoma law enforcement to discuss the risks facing Oklahoma agriculture and national security from illegal marijuana operations around our state and the Chinese land ownership and influence in our state.”

“I appreciate Senator Lankford’s invitation to visit with Oklahoma’s stakeholders to get their input on the next farm bill, along with the opportunity to learn more about how foreign ownership of agricultural land is impacting rural communities in his state. I’ve already visited 20 different states during this listening tour and each state has unique needs and concerns, such as we saw here in Oklahoma. Receiving input directly from producers is key to ensuring the farm bill reflects the needs of those who work tirelessly to ensure we have the safest, most affordable, and most abundant supply of food in the world,” said Boozman.
The Senators joined faculty and staff at Langston University to get first-hand knowledge of the University’s world-renown goat-breeding program. The Senators visited Oklahoma State University in Stillwater to interact with some of the cutting-edge dairy and agronomy research programs at the University.

Additionally, the importance of conservation programs in Oklahoma was highlighted by Oklahoma Conservation Commission Executive Director Trey Lam. “In Oklahoma, we have higher agriculture production and increasing urban sprawl, but our state’s stream water quality is improving,” said Lam. “What is the common denominator? Locally led voluntary conservation programs delivered by USDA-NRCS, the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, and local Conservation Districts. What is needed now, is proper financial support not only for cost-share programs but more importantly for human resources.”

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