I guess that I should start by introducing myself. My name is Chase Carter and I am from a ranching family in Northeastern New Mexico.

I grew up on the ranch and worked on it every day while growing up and every summer in college. There were times when I didn’t enjoy some of the work like windmilling or fencing, but I always loved the lifestyle. The independence that production agriculture provides is one of the greatest joys that those who are involved in it hold. While we are truly the breadbasket of the world, we produce using our own terms of production and we are able to manage the best way we see fit, and, though many industries claim to be like this, we are one of the few that really are.

What do I think OCM’s role in agriculture is? I feel strongly that OCM is one of the few organizations that is fighting to help us all remain independent. OCM is trying to, not only to right wrongs that have been made by trade negotiators and congressmen and women, but save a lifestyle that is being faced with issues that threaten its future. In my personal estimation, there is no more worthy fight to partake in. One of the things that I was taught as a child was that to avoid fights until there is no other alternative. When that point is reached, hit first and hit hard. OCM possess’ this kind of mentality. We have tried to avoid the upcoming fight, but now, those of us in production ag, are backed into a corner and we can either come out swinging or run. It says a lot about a mans, or organizations, character when they engage in a fight in which the outcome is uncertain. OCM is doing this and it is great to see an organization honestly represent its members and do the right thing.

In the months ahead of us, many of these issues will come to the floors of state and national legislatures. These very issues, namely CAFTA, will have a profound impact on the future of production agriculture. Doing the right thing is not always popular. There are people that will criticize us, but what we all have to remember is that the right thing for us is not always going to be popular. If OCM and its members continue to do the right thing, we will be able to look ourselves in the mirror, win or lose, and know that we did everything in our power to save the one thing that we value above everything but faith, family, and country, and that is our livelihood. The one thing that has changed in recent years is that we have power. This power does not come from money or political savvy, but from a firm belief in our way of life and an organization that allows our voices to be heard in the halls of Congress and the highest courts in the land. This is the trump card and provides us with a real opportunity to win and change the direction that we are headed in.

I have always wanted to go back to the family operation, and hopefully will one day Until then I can think of no better organization or cause to work for. I am excited about the opportunity to work for you all and hope that I get a chance to meet you. You, the members of OCM, are my employers and if there is anything I can do to help you in any way, feel free to contact me. Again, I am honored to be working for such an upstanding bunch of people and let’s continue down the right path and get to work! CC