PORTERVILLE, MS --  America’s agricultural marketing system is failing, according to a new, nationwide organization of farmers, ranchers, attorneys, and academics dubbed the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM).  In the view of the OCM,  there are too few buyers that have too much market power over agricultural producers.  The result is often am outright stifling of competition and unfair and discriminatory prices that threaten the future of independent producers, rural communities, and the consumers who depend on them.

 Operating since an initial meeting in April 1998 as a loosely knit organization of concerned citizens, the OCM will hold its formal organizing and full-membership meeting in Kansas City, MO , August 25-26.

 The mission of the Organization for Competitive Markets is to re-establish fair and competitive markets for agricultural products and protect those markets from the concentrated power of any entity.  The achievement of these goals will foster the growth and prosperity of independent farmers, ranchers, and rural communities while providing consumers with healthful, high quality products at a reasonable price.

 The Organization for Competitive Markets will use a variety of effective means to accomplish its mission.  It will educate the public, news media, and government officials about the threats to fair and competitive agricultural markets.  It will also perform research on the effects of current market practices and the effectiveness of mechanisms to improve markets for independent farmers and ranchers as well as assisting them to enforce their rights to fair and nondiscriminatory treatment by corporate agribusiness.  It will work for appropriate public policies at the state and federal level and organize producers, academics, and constituencies of common interest throughout the nation.  It will also seek to identify and cultivate future leaders in agriculture.

 The agenda of the Kansas City meeting will include member working sessions with expert panelists on unfair trade practices and legal remedies available to farmers and ranchers and effective communication of lobbying techniques; election of a Board of Directors and Officers; and adoption of OCM mission, policies, and operating principles.

 OCM is a one-member/one-vote, membership driven organization.  Membership is based upon a willingness to work to accomplish the mission of OCM.

 OCM invites all persons interested in attending the Kansas City meeting or in receiving background information about OCM to contact Ms. Brenda Williams, (860)738-9755, stumo.and.milleron@snet.net