Yesterday I read the press release about Oklahoma House Bill 2151, by state Rep. Don Armes, R-Faxon. In Orwellian language, Armes claims the bill will, “… simplify regulation of livestock producers by making the state the single-source regulator in Oklahoma (other than the federal government).”
I was struck by the labeling, divisive language of Armes’ quotes.
"Unfortunately, there’s been a trend of over-reach by fringe groups who don’t know much about animals, agriculture production, or the free market, yet still feel the need to impose their version of ‘animal Nirvana’ on local farmers and ranchers through arbitrary regulations," said Armes, R-Faxon. "This bill will simply ensure that livestock regulations are developed by experts at the state level who know what they’re doing."
And this:
"Let's be honest: The majority of people in San Francisco probably think the chicken just magically appears ready to eat next to the arugula and tofu in the grocery aisle," Armes said. "In a place like Oklahoma, where there are literally more cattle than people and agriculture production generates billions of dollars in gross state product, it just makes sense to have trained experts making regulatory decisions."
Honesty? Really! There are so many prevarications and inane statements in just these two quotes it's hard to know where to start.
First, about that "let's say hateful things about Californians" thing: I have a sister and brother-in-law who are former residents of the Bay 
Area and are farmers. They live two hours north of San Francisco and operate a small, sustainable and organic family farm in Mendocino County, Calif. They are amazing, informed people with a firm grasp on the agricultural business, very connected to their land and to the local food movement in their county as well as in that demonized Bastion of Enlightened Eating known as San Francisco. I am so proud of them for what they are working hard to do. Wanna talk sweat equity? This is it!
This summer they shared their abundance of produce with local food banks and they are constantly hosting visitors at the farm to teach them how to be more self-sufficient and live sustainably. Most especially my sis and bro-in-law understand the inhumanity, pollution and public health hazards of industrialized factory farms. As farmers they were huge supporters of Proposition 2, the ballot question Armes references in his press release.
Second, given all the problems our nation and Oklahoma faces, are belittling, mischaracterizations such as these from Armes the mark of leadership, or of someone bought and paid for by the Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) industry?
Blogger Oklavore wrote a beautiful, eloquent reply to this nonsense:
I am sick of people using food to exacerbate perceived divisions. Just yesterday a state representative invoked “arugula” to conjure feelings of “us” and “them.” How is it that a salad green has come to represent elites, or in this case ignorant, elitist city-folk? Remember Obama’s so-called “arugula moment” in mid-2007? Ridiculous. It grows in the wild and is easy to cultivate, for goodness sake! What’s the big deal? It’s been hijacked as a political tool (remember “freedom fries”?). Could it be that Californians have actually gotten more informed about food and agriculture and that’s why they voted for Proposition 2? What do you think?
More of Oklavore’s reply here. And more about California’s Proposition 2 here.
Third, as Oklavore notes, why pick on arugula! As I write this, I am feasting on arugula harvested from my backyard cold frame. It grows in the winter dammit! It's great with eggs. It's great in dips. It's heavenly in salads. I think it would be wonderful to flood Rep. Armes email inbox demanding he apologize to arugula! Or maybe we can take him a nice supply of arugula from Oklahoma's local farmers along with a stack of studies about what CAFOs are doing to our grand land. Or maybe we call the TV stations and invite them to a salad sit-in!
But fourth and finally and more to heart of the matter: The demand for an apology to arugula is light-hearted, but this bill and its true intent are deadly serious. I think this bill has nothing to do with supporting local agriculture, and everything to do with protecting big agribiz CAFOs from any possible future federal regulation of their Grinch-hearted, inhumane CAFO pens and their filthy practices.
CAFOs will spend millions in lobbying and advertising and spin factories to protect their taxpayer-subsidized machine as long as possible regardless of the overwhelming 
mountain of evidence confirming the damage they do to Oklahoma’s rural communities and economies, people, environment, public health, watersheds, tourism and natural resources. So maybe we can help Rep. Armes understand we the people aren’t as uninformed as he thinks and won’t take this gross assault on arugula, on family and friends in California, and most importantly, on Oklahoma's rural and urban communities. From our container and backyard urban gardens, from our small, thoughtfully run farms, from our hearts and minds yearning for healthy communities, clean skies and water, and humanity for all people and all species, we can can speak louder than Armes' bully pulpit.
Here’s Armes’ email address: donarmes@okhouse.gov and his phone number (405) 557-7307.
If you want, throw in a few links to studies about CAFOs in your email too. See below for links to get you started. Please spread the word and share more studies and info if you want.
· CAFOs Uncovered: The Untold Costs of Confined Animal Feeding Operations
· Industrial Livestock at the Taxpayer Trough: How Large Hog and Dairy Operations are Subsidized by the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
· Local control and CAFOs: A public health issue for rural counties
· Assessment of Impacts on Health, Local Economies, and the Environment with Suggested Alternatives
· Farmers Worry About CAFO Dairy: Pollution, Land Values Are Concerns
