Right to Farm Missouri Amendment 1 2014

1. Right to FarmMissouri Amendment 12014 Analyzing the Past, Preparing for the Future Sen. Brian Munzlinger, Missouri Chairman of Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

2. Process in Missouri Official Capacity What Happened • In 2013 now Con. Jason Smith (then state representative) filed a HJR to put the language on the ballot • Passed the legislature near the end of session after several modifications of the language (for the 2014 ballot) What I Would Change • Spend the first year educating members and citizens about Agriculture and the role it plays and its economic impact in your state • Carefully manage any legislation and public discussions to NOT provide talking points against the amendment • Size up what/who the opposition will be. Do not take anything for granted!

3. Coalition Building • Normal contingency- Ag groups such as Farm Bureau, commodity associations, • Thinking about the education component and reaching out to every sector in the process from ground to table. • Financial institutions, equipment and machinery dealers and manufacturers, realtors,

4. Political Capacity • Do not start down this road without a good political organization that has the ability to raise the budgeted funds for success

5. Who will be against you? • Carefully analyze your state environment. We expected HSUS, Sierra Club, Organic Farmers/Farmer’s Union and some regular anti- farming groups. • Groups we did not expect included a percentage of Missouri citizens that didn’t feel one industry should be allowed special protection in the constitution- a state statute should be good enough. • Look at former legislators- they can be an effective messenger of the anti-campaign.

6. Messaging • In the “Education” messaging phase- relates this to dollars and jobs that effect every family in your state. When you begin to include processors and financial institutions, people start to realize that even if they don’t know a “farmer” then know someone involved in agriculture. • 4-H and FFA members learn responsibility and a work ethic. • HSUS does not believe in animal ownership.

7. How to Win • Build a budget • Expect the unexpected • Hire a professional political team that has been in tough campaigns before and won

8. Missouri by the Numbers Monies Raised: • Missouri Farmers Care PAC was the lead group, in favor, with over 1000 donors and groups totaling almost $1,000,000. • An example of the donations included: individuals, businesses and political action committees. • An example: Munzlinger for Senate donated $5000 and spent as an in-kind on radio ads for another $5,000. Votes August 5, 2014 499,963 Yes 497,588 No $1.83 per yes vote Every vote Counts! When divided votes won by the counties, it is approximately and 18 vote margin per county.

9. Opposition by the Numbers The Political Action Committee formed to be against the Right to Farm Amendment was named Missouri’s Food for America PAC- this was very deceptive to the voters. • Money Raised by this PAC was $653,173 • This is where they raised the money: Out of state funds: HSUS Legislative Fund $515,000 ASPCA $50,000 In state funds: Baker Heirloom Seeds $14,000 Missouri Rural Crisis Center $21,300