The passage of these two initiatives means the future of agriculture in Oklahoma just got a little brighter. To address the situation, Watts requested in March that two million dollars be allocated for boll weevil eradication so that Oklahoma's program could be put on par with other states.
Boll weevils can wipe out a cotton crop, creating a disaster for farming families.
But such a crisis can be avoided, and hopefully we've done our part with this vote to do just that. Since its inception, REAP has benefited more than 100 young African-Americans in Oklahoma who have sought to continue the agricultural tradition of their Oklahoman forebears. REAP is in need of federal funding to hire full-time help. It's great news for Oklahoma that a very worthwhile program like REAP can continue to grow.