The Organization for Competitive Markets is a national non-profit,
public policy research organization headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska.
OCM believes we must work together, across all commodities, toward the
common purpose of returning our food and agriculture sector to true
supply-demand based competition. Antitrust, competition and fair trade
are important, but nonpartisan, issues in farm and ranch country,
reflecting our diverse membership from all parties. Competitive markets
in agriculture is our goal, giving rise to the organization's name.
This concern transcends to the international level as international
trade agreements threaten our national sovereignty while increasing the
market power of global agri-businesses.
OCM's Mission
Former President Theodore Roosevelt, whose likeness graces our
masthead, was known as the original Trust Buster, advocating and
enforcing the first antitrust laws and reinvigorating true competition
and entrepreneurship. OCM seeks to reinvigorate his legacy of antitrust
law and competition policy. Reclaiming competitive markets in
agriculture for farmers, ranchers and rural communities is our goal for
America. True competition reduces the need for economic regulation. Our
mission, and our duty, is to define and advocate the proper role of
government in the agricultural economy as a regulator and enforcer of
rules necessary for markets that are fair, honest, accessible, and
competitive for all citizens.
OCM's Publications and Events
OCM undertakes an extensive communications program to distribute
knowledge and information about true free market principals in the
American tradition. OCM's monthly newsletter chronicles important
events and distributes new ideas relating to competition and trade. OCM
staff appear on weekly radio programs in farm country to discuss and
comment upon current events. Meetings are held or attended regularly in
which OCM staff and members speak on regulatory, policy, and litigation
topics relating to monopoly, concentration, vertical integration,
market deception and unfairness.
OCM's Funding
Funding comes from membership dues, foundations, businesses and
individuals. OCM is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization under Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
OCM's Members and Supporters
Membership in the OCM is open to anyone who subscribes to its
mission. Members and supporters include producers of cattle, corn,
soybeans, wheat, hogs, vegetables, and other crops. Policy makers,
academics, lawyers and businessmen are an important part of our support
base.
How to Label OCM
OCM is a membership based research and advocacy organization. We are
the only national think tank focusing only upon antitrust and trade
policy in agriculture. We are "pro- business" because we believe in
free markets and the law of supply and demand to allocate resources
properly. We are "conservative" because we view American values such as
honesty and morality should be demanded of our businesses and
politicians. We are "liberal" because we believe government has a
regulatory role to create and enforce the rules of doing business,
thereby avoiding crony capitalism. We are "populist" because we have
determined our nation is made economically and culturally wealthy by
preserving the ability of independent families to produce our food
without fear of the economically dominant firms in agribusiness.
|
