AFR Cooperative President Scott Blubaugh:
“AFR stands with AG Drummond and his lawsuit against U.S. Fish & Wildlife in regards to the listing of the Lesser Prairie Chicken as an endangered species and the regulations and restrictions that accompany that listing. Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers are the ultimate conservationists; no one knows about best conservation practices for their properties better than they do.
Over the past several decades, Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers have engaged in voluntary conservation programs to preserve prairie chicken habitat. These efforts have proven successful and show great promise for a continued voluntary approach to preserving the prairie chicken’s native range.
Additionally, Oklahoma and the entire southern plains region have experienced significant drought in the past year; now is not the time for further regulation of our industry. Agriculturists must stick together to defend this federal overreach by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and we are pleased to support our attorney general in his effort.”
About American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union: AFR Cooperative is a membership services organization established in 1905 as Oklahoma Farmers Union. AFR provides educational, legislative and cooperative programs across the state and serves as a watchdog for Oklahoma’s family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. The organization is actively supportive of the state’s agricultural industry and rural population with membership consisting of farmers actively involved in production agriculture and non-farmers adding their voice in support of AFR principles.
