Empire State Family Farm Alliance

BERKSHIRE, VERMONT - 2/4/2010-Dairy Farmers Working Together (DFWT) has returned from their three trips to the South to discuss the unification of dairy associations towards one program in efforts to develop dairy policy. Bill Rowell traveled to St Simons Island in Georgia in December 2009 to speak to the Georgia State Farm Bureau and Southeast Milk Producers. Doug Maddox of California and past president of Holstein USA joined him for that four day trip. Efforts were successful with members in attendance asking Bill Rowell to attend and present information on the Dairy Price Stabilization Program at the Georgia Dairy Producers Convention in Savannah Georgia on February 1-2.

A statement coming on behalf of the Georgia Milk Producer's President Everett Williams sums up their position "Georgia Milk Producers, Inc. supports a national, mandatory supply management plan that recognizes regional differences in milk markets and supply, and leads to a more stable milk price for U.S. dairy producers."

Kylie Quesnel and Danielle Goodrich, members of Dairy Farmers Working Together and also the Addison Young Cooperators, traveled on January 21-22 to the Kentucky Dairy Development Council meeting in Lucas Kentucky.

The Kentucky Dairy Development Council signed on in support of Dairy Farmers Working Together as a supporter of the efforts to promote the development of dairy policy. Members of their association will work to further develop the Dairy Price Stabilization Program with other associations who have previously signed on in support.

Efforts of the coalition of supporters of the Dairy Price Stabilization Program continue with Rob VandenHeuvel of California presenting at the International Dairy Forum Association's National Forum in Arizona. The position of the International Dairy Forum Association has been in opposition of the Dairy Price Stabilization Program or any mandatory program involving supply management.

Doug Maddox, former past President of Holstein USA and active supporter traveled to the Colorado Dairy Association and received a different reception to the plan.

"Isn't it interesting that by and large those that are opposing this proposal are not dairyman themselves." stated Maddox after traveling coast to coast for the last 12 months presenting the Dairy Price Stabilization Program.