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California Farmers Union President George Davis and Vice President Mark McAfee joined nearly 300 farmers and ranchers from across the United States in Washington last week to call for dairy and farm policy reforms in the next farm bill. They stressed its importance given the current challenges faced by California's family farmers and ranchers.
The California delegation met with members and staff from the Congressional Offices of Representatives Aguilar, Duarte, Huffman, Khanna, Matsui, Panetta, Porter, Valadao, and other offices, calling for dairy policy reforms. They warned lawmakers that the USDA federal milk marketing order (FMMO) proposed changes could lead to substantial increases in allowances, making milk processing less responsive to changes in profitable market demand. Although milk prices today have improved, there remains uncertainty about the future because small changes in milk supply and demand can significantly impact milk prices paid to dairy producers. California Dairy Campaign and California Farmers Union have joined National Farmers Union to support a farmer-led growth management plan of incentives to match milk production with profitable market demand to improve milk prices paid in the long term.
National Farmers Union members participated in hundreds of meetings with members of Congress throughout the week, met with more than a dozen federal agencies, and heard from prominent government officials, including Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan, Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division Jonathan Kanter, and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan.
National Farmers Union members brought NFU’s ongoing Fairness for Farmers campaign to Washington, outlining how a lack of competition in the agriculture sector harms family farmers and ranchers. Secretary Vilsack addressed Farmers Union members, offering insights into the USDA’s ongoing efforts to support American family agriculture and ensure their continued viability in today’s challenging environment. Leaders from other federal agencies also provided policy updates about Farmers Union priorities.
“The Environmental Protection Agency views the agriculture sector as a key partner in achieving our climate goals,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “Farmers play an essential role in creating smart and sustainable climate solutions, all while delivering a resilient and abundant food supply. EPA will continue supporting farmers and ranchers in their efforts to reduce emissions, sequester carbon, and protect our environment.”
“Promoting honest and competitive agriculture markets means farmers can get a fair shake and Americans can enjoy a more affordable and resilient food system,” said Chair of the FTC Lina Khan. “I’m grateful to learn from National Farmers Union about the challenges facing family farms. From protecting farmers’ right to repair their equipment to combatting monopolistic tactics in the marketplace, FTC will keep fighting to ensure farmers can enjoy the economic liberty that fair and honest competition provides.” “…agricultural enforcement has been a huge priority of ours at DOJ and it will remain one going forward,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “That’s because the consequences of concentration in agricultural ripple out. It affects us all.”
California Dairy Campaign and California Farmers Union advocacy efforts will continue ensuring that lawmakers hear the voices of family farmers and keep dairy and farm policy reform at the forefront of legislative priorities.
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