Rep. Courtney Announces Emergency Help For Connecticut's Dairy Farmers

Press Release

Congressman Joe Courtney, a founding Co-Chairman of the Congressional Dairy Farmers Caucus, announced today that help is on the way for Connecticut's and the nation's dairy farmers who have experienced one of the worst economic downturn in decades.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it will be releasing $290 million in direct assistance to dairy farms appropriated in the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill, which was signed into law in October. Congressman Courtney led the fight in the House of Representatives for this funding over the last year after hearing first-hand the challenges facing local and national dairy farmers. Dairy farms throughout eastern Connecticut will begin receiving cash payments this week with the amounts determined by each farm's production level, announced today by the USDA.

Click here for a Q&A on the aid program and a fact sheet from the USDA.

"Our local dairy farms have faced a crash in prices in 2009, forcing them to borrow at an unprecedented level. Today I am pleased to announce that help is on the way," Courtney stated. "After fighting for more than a year to bring home some good news for the dairy industry, the check is in the mail and will provide some help to struggling dairy farms."

Congressman Courtney has been a leading advocate in Washington for assistance as prices have fallen for dairy products. In January 2009, Congressman sent a letter to Appropriations Chairman David Obey calling for financial help for dairy farmers. Click here to read the Congressman's letter to Chairman Obey.

The Congressman founded and co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional Dairy Farmers Caucus in the House of Representatives and has used that position to launch a campaign to aid dairy farmers. For example, in July 2009 Congressman Courtney was invited to testify before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy by Chairman Collin Peterson, at which he argued for direct payments to dairy farmers. Click here to watch the Congressman's testimony.

"Our dairy farmers have received critically low prices for the milk produced on their farms over the past year. This direct payment will help cover accrued farm expenses and indicates a national awareness and need to ensure the future of our dairy industry. We thank Congressman Courtney for making this a priority issue in Washington, D.C. and helping all of Connecticut's dairy farmers," stated Don Tuller, President of CT Farm Bureau Association.

"I am so appreciative for the help that Congressman Courtney has provided in getting funding to help us. This was the worst year I have experienced and the loss of equity could have closed down many dairy farms. With the help of the State and Federal programs, as well as the temporary raising of the support price for three months, we see the light at the end of the tunnel. We all appreciate Joe's support," stated Nate Cushman of Cushman Farms in Lebanon.

"I want to thank Rep. Courtney for all his efforts on behalf of our dairy farms. Congressman Courtney has led the way and gone the extra mile to make sure the dairy industry in our state survives," stated Paul Miller, Long Hill Farms in Woodstock.

Source