Maine dairy farmers converged at the State House, advocating for enhanced financial assistance from lawmakers to alleviate the challenges posed by high production costs and stagnant milk prices.
For two decades, Maine has extended a financial safety net to dairy farmers through the Dairy Stabilization Program, offering payments ranging from $20 to $23 per hundredweight of milk, tailored to farm size. However, a recent study by the Maine Milk Commission underscores the necessity for a $6.50 per hundredweight increase in payments to meet break-even thresholds due to inflation.
Governor Janet Mills proposed a 25% augmentation in payments, equivalent to approximately $1.60 per hundredweight, drawing support from the Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee. Nevertheless, in a recent vote, Democratic members of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee recommended a 10% increase coupled with one-time payments to farms, sparking debates over the most effective approach.
Annie Watson, president of the Maine Dairy Industry Association and a Whitefield dairy farmer, emphasized the urgency of bolstering support for the industry, echoing sentiments shared by fellow farmers during the State House rally. With Maine’s dairy farm count dwindling from around 250 a decade ago to a mere 146 presently, Watson stressed the imperative of strategic investment in preserving the sector.
Sarah Alexander, executive director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, highlighted the multifaceted significance of dairy farms beyond food provision, citing their pivotal role in environmental and rural sustainability.
The unfolding legislative discussions are crucial, as lawmakers navigate the final stages of the 2024 session. However, partisan tensions escalated following recent committee votes, particularly regarding alterations to the budget package. Republican legislators criticized moves to trim dairy support and divert funds from the transportation budget, citing the existential challenges faced by farmers and the broader implications for Maine’s agricultural landscape.
Rep. Sawin Millett, a Waterford Republican on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, underscored the importance of the Dairy Stabilization Program in sustaining farming livelihoods and ensuring food security for Maine residents amidst a backdrop of declining farm numbers.
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