The Washington and Oregon state agriculture departments are asking the federal government to buy massive amounts of milk and cheese. Washington has lost 39 dairy farms this year and Oregon 16 as milk prices have fallen sharply across the nation. Correspondent Doug Nadvornick reports. (:51…SOQ)
Washington Ag Department Director Dan Newhouse says the problem is simple: in the down economy, there's just too much milk available. He says that means prices have fallen to the point where dairy farmers are having trouble surviving.
His solution?
Dan Newhouse: “Very simply, for the U-S-D-A to purchase milk products, cheese and dairy products, to get them off the market and into the hands of people who are utilizing food banks around the country.”
The plan was hatched by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. It calls for the federal government to buy 75 million pounds of dairy products right away. Then, the government would make two other similar-sized purchases within a four-month period after that.
Newhouse says the proposal would not only help farmers. It would provide products for food banks that are struggling to keep up with the increased demand for their services.
I'm Doug Nadvornick reporting.
Copyright 2009 Spokane Public Radio
His solution?
Dan Newhouse: “Very simply, for the U-S-D-A to purchase milk products, cheese and dairy products, to get them off the market and into the hands of people who are utilizing food banks around the country.”
The plan was hatched by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. It calls for the federal government to buy 75 million pounds of dairy products right away. Then, the government would make two other similar-sized purchases within a four-month period after that.
Newhouse says the proposal would not only help farmers. It would provide products for food banks that are struggling to keep up with the increased demand for their services.
I'm Doug Nadvornick reporting.
Copyright 2009 Spokane Public Radio
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