Baldwin Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Request for Immediate Support for Farmers in Wake of Agriculture Crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Chellie Pingree (ME-01) led 25 of their colleagues in a bipartisan, bicameral letter asking U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack for immediate assistance for organic dairy and poultry farmers who face simultaneous crises threatening their farms.

“We are writing on behalf of the U.S. organic dairy and poultry sectors, made up of thousands of family farmers and the businesses that support them, to request emergency relief in response to skyrocketing feed costs that are impacting the future viability of the industry. The situation is dire and requires your immediate attention.  We urgently ask that you work closely with Congress and stakeholders to develop a solution that quickly gets assistance to producers to prevent further losses. Without rapid action, families are on track to lose their farms,” the members said in the letter.

International trade challenges specific to the organic agriculture sector, persistent drought, and the lack of a stable domestic supply of certified organic feed have created a dire economic situation for organic livestock farmers across the U.S. over the last two years.

Year-over-year price spikes in the cost of feedstuffs are now creating unsustainable circumstances that could lead to further farm closures, reduced competition and ultimately, limited consumer choice. If not addressed, these closures will have devastating impacts on the burgeoning organic dairy and poultry sectors and diminish the role of organics in the marketplace for years to come. Many organic businesses have already lost entire farms and without action this trend will continue.

The letter was also signed by Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Susan Collins (R-ME), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Representatives Jim McGovern (MA-02), Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Mike Thompson (CA-05), Peter Welch (VT-At Large), Annie Kuster (NH-02), Angie Craig (MN-02), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), and Ron Kind (WI-03).

The full letter can be viewed here or below:

Thomas J. Vilsack
Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Jamie L. Whitten Building
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington DC, 20250

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

We are writing on behalf of the U.S. organic dairy and poultry sectors, made up of thousands of family farmers and the businesses that support them, to request emergency relief in response to skyrocketing feed costs that are impacting the future viability of the industry. The situation is dire and requires your immediate attention.  We urgently ask that you work closely with Congress and stakeholders to develop a solution that quickly gets assistance to producers to prevent further losses. Without rapid action, families are on track to lose their farms.

While the agriculture sector overall is struggling with a multitude of challenges that have affected the market, organic is a unique supply chain and market that requires tailored solutions to meet the needs of producers. International trade challenges specific to organic, persistent drought, and the lack of a stable domestic supply of certified organic feed have created a dire economic situation for organic livestock farmers across the U.S. over the last two years.

For example, prices for organic soybeans in the U.S. reached $40.52 per bushel in May 2022, up close to 110% from January 2021’s $19.37 per bushel. Feed costs for organic dairy and poultry producers traditionally average over 50% of the total cost of production, but dramatic increases year-over-year in organic feedstuffs are now creating unsustainable circumstances that could lead to farm closures, reduced competition and ultimately, limited consumer choice. If not addressed, these closures will have devastating impacts on the burgeoning organic dairy and poultry sectors and diminish the role of organics in the marketplace for years to come.  Unlike conventional farming, the organic sector cannot respond quickly to market needs due to the three-year transition period required on most land.

While we are supportive of existing emergency disaster relief, pandemic assistance and other risk management programs administered by USDA, these efforts have unfortunately not been sufficient to address the current situation facing organic livestock producers. Therefore, we ask that you work with us to find a targeted solution to provide immediate, direct relief.

Organic agriculture is a growing market that has provided opportunities for increased profitability for U.S. farmers, benefitting rural communities across the country. We thank you for your longstanding support of the organic industry and look forward to working with you to ensure the longevity of a healthy organic market that supports thousands of family farms.

Sincerely,

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