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Indiana farmer takes to the field to share “Stop WOTUS” message

https://www.facebook.com/joseph.russell.18/videos/10209097004283302/

 

An Indiana farmer took to the field to send a message to the EPA about the Waters of the US (WOTUS) Rule.

Delaware County Farm Bureau president and farmer Joe Russell says he wanted to educate people about the impact of EPA’s WOTUS rule, but didn’t want to do it on a piece of paper.  “Why not make one that is measured in acres,” he says.  “In November I took a chisel plow to a field and scratched out this “Stop WOTUS” message.”

He tells Brownfield the message is written in small section of a 175 acre field with letters that are 150 feet tall.  “We had 17 farmers standing up to support stopping WOTUS,” he says.  “Our neighbor has a drone and we flew it and in a little window of opportunity were able to get the video.”

Russell says it’s important for farmers to use their voice to stand up for their farming operations.  “This is an important issue that’s going to be upon us very soon,” he says.  “We better be ready for it because there are people far away that want to tell you how to use your land and we don’t think that’s right.  I think we the farmers that have been on the farm for decades and generations are the best ones to manage that farm and that property.”

Russell says he wanted to be able to share with his county Farm Bureau board that at least 200 people watched his video.

As of Thursday evening his video had been shared on Facebook more than 500 times and had nearly 18,000 views.

AUDIO: Joe Russell, Delaware County Farm Bureau president