Thanks to Farm Aid’s diligent work with the National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC), Food & Water Watch, and other food and farm groups, as well as the powerful voices of struggling dairy farmers speaking out across the country, the dairy crisis is finally getting some well-deserved attention on Capitol Hill.
During yesterday’s House Agriculture subcommittee hearing to review the dire economic conditions facing America’s dairy farmers, general testimony stressed the widespread severity of the situation and the urgent need for action. House Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson made an appearance during the hearing, voicing the need for at least two more hearings on the crisis prior to Congress’ August recess. Meanwhile, National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC) and allied groups, including a few staff garbed in cow suits, staged a small protest outside the House office building to call attention to the exclusion of vital family farm voices from the hearing’s witness list.
We’re very happy to report that the cow suits worked! Another dairy hearing has already been scheduled for Tuesday, July 21st, with NFFC formally invited to testify.
In addition to the protest, NFFC hosted an afternoon press teleconference in response to the hearing. For a glimpse of some of the important presentations made, including a statement from Farm Aid, check out this detailed coverage by the Cattle Network.
