Missouri Congress members back farming amendment

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) - Several Missourians in the U.S. House are backing a proposed amendment to the state Constitution on farming.

The Missouri Farm Bureau says Republicans Billy Long, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Jason Smith and Vicky Hartzler will hold news conferences around the state next week to support the measure.

The August ballot proposal will ask voters whether the right "to engage in farming and ranching" should be "forever guaranteed" in the Missouri Constitution.

The measure was referred to the ballot by the Republican-led Legislature. It's also been endorsed by the Missouri Republican State Committee.