Mission

The ranching and farming industry supports the preservation of the economic viability of cattle, livestock, dairy, vegetable, fruit, and other agricultural production. 

Interests

• protect the interests of ranching and farming for the Silver County region
• protect and preserve the future of farming and ranching industries
• lobby local, state and national governments for increased protection from drought, flooding, and price fluctuations.
• preserve access and rights to water sources
• promote the purchasing or subsidizing of open space

Positions

They are for FuturePlan because further encroachment from growth and development will put their ability to farm and ranch at risk. They favor the creation of urban growth boundaries and open spaces to protect agricultural lands from encroachment, pollution, and geographical fragmentation. Jessie Lorado: a rancher outside of Silver Cliff feels that rapid and widespread growth in the area will promote what she calls "the Oklahoma land rush" whereby developers will buy up agricultural lands from family and independent farmers to build ranchettes or large housing developments. She feels that this pits farmer against farmer, and rancher against rancher, who are "on one hand dependent on their land for their survival ad on the other hand, enticed by the big money developers will offer them millions to build condos and townhouses." Additionally, Laredo argues that growth outside of the urban areas will disrupt the values and lifestyle associated with the small, rural ranching and farming culture. She states "not only will developing tracts of farmland lead to fragmentation of the land but the introduction of city folks with city values will lead to a fragmentation of our peaceful lifestyle."