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Washington, D.C. – January 24, 2023 — Organic dairy farmers are in crisis due to drought, market consolidation, and skyrocketing energy and feed costs brought on by unstable global markets and inflation. NODPA, Organic Farmers Association (OFA), National Organic Coalition (NOC) and allies have been calling on Congress to provide emergency financial relief to organic dairy farmers to help offset the high cost of production before more farms go out of business. We were pleased to see report language requiring USDA to find sources of funding to help organic dairy farmers included in the federal spending bill that passed at the end of 2022. USDA’s Farm Service Agency fulfilled the mandate on time, announcing plans to distribute funding on Monday, January 23rd. USDA’s full announcement is posted here.
posted to Industry News on Thu, Jan 26, 2023
Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance appreciates USDA for their Assistance to Organic Dairy Farmers and has some suggestions to Develop the Program.
Read More...posted to Industry News on Thu, Jan 26, 2023
Organic Farmers Association Applauds USDA Announcement on Additional Assistance for Dairy Farmers
Read More...posted to Industry News on Thu, Jan 26, 2023
By Tamara Scully, NODPA News contributing writer
Hoosick Falls, NY: Since 1774, the Sheffer family has owned and operated this bucolic farm, which now totals 430 acres, and Eric Sheffer is the sixth generation to do so. While there have been many changes throughout the centuries, the latest has been their 2017 transition to organic certification. They began transitioning to organic in 2014, with full certification in 2017. The farm, which supplies milk for Stonyfield Organic, is certified by Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO).
Read More...posted to Featured Farms on Sun, Nov 20, 2022
By Ed Maltby, NODPA Executive Director
On November 28, 2022 organic livestock advocates, buyers, processors and farmers sent a letter to Senate and House Appropriations and Agriculture Committee Leadership asking for emergency funding for organic livestock and poultry because of the catastrophic economic challenges faced by farmers. The seriousness of the problem is emphasized by the wide diversity of the groups that have signed on to the letter acknowledging the desperation across the country and the continuing loss of organic dairies. After six years of a pay price that is significantly lower than the costs of production, producers have no reserves left. Despite record retail prices, producer share of the organic retail price has dropped to 27%. Organic milk buyers say they cannot increase pay price to a level that can help organic dairies cash flow their operations. Contact Ed Maltby, NODPA Executive Director, for more information: 413-427-7323. or by email emaltby@comcast.net
Read More...posted to Industry News on Sun, Nov 20, 2022
By Tamara Scully, NODPA News contributing writer
A panel of industry experts focused on one of the primary concerns organic dairy farmers have today - pay price - at the NODPA 2022 Field Days this past September. The session featured Sharad Mathur, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA); Dan Smith, New England Dairy Compact; Jim Goodman and Siena Chrisman, National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC); and Tade Sullivan, Maine Dairy Industry Association (MDIA).The following is a transcript from the session’s recording.
Read More...posted to Industry News on Sun, Nov 20, 2022
By Tamara Scully, NODPA News contributing writer
The “Ask the Vet” session at NODPA’s annual Field Days is always a highlight. This year, Dayna Locitzer, DVM, of Green Mountain Bovine Clinic in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and Elizabeth Martens, DVM, of Valleywide Veterinary Services, Bridport, Vermont, fielded attendees’ herd health questions. Below is a transcript of the session recording.
Read More...posted to Organic Production on Sun, Nov 20, 2022
NODPA is the largest grass roots organization of organic dairy producers and has remained true to its original goal of advocating on behalf of producers, regardless of who they sell their milk to, for a sustainable pay price, plus protect the integrity of the USDA Organic Regulations.
NODPA depends on the memberships of farmers, consumers, and businesses for support of all its efforts — regionally and in Washington — on behalf of the organic dairy farmers.
If you're an organic dairy farmer, consider one of the following: a milk check-off membership or an annual newsletter membership or choose your own level of annual dues to support NODPA. Learn more >>
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