September 14-19, 2002, Washington D.C. / St. Louis
California Dairy Leaders Journal
By Chris Durrer
On Saturday, September 14, the Dairy Leaders group met at the Sacramento airport to depart for our September meeting in Washington D.C. From the moment we left Sacramento … till mid day on the 19th, when we arrived back home, our schedule was full of events. Saturday was primarily a day of travel. Sunday was our day to see the city, and all of its historical sites. On Monday, there were meetings scheduled with the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), United States Dairy Export Council (USDEC), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). On Tuesday, meetings were scheduled with several key legislators and their staff to discuss some of the more pertinent topics that face the dairy industry. On Wednesday, the group was able to tour the Monsanto plant outside of St. Louis, Missouri. And, on Thursday, the Dairy Leaders group traveled back to California.
Washington, D.C.
On Monday, first on the agenda was a meeting with National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). There we discussed several topics, such as the drafting of the Farm Bill, an overview US dairy trade, and the structure and role of NMPF.
The Farm Bill is an extremely detailed document, and it takes several committees and sub-committees hours upon hours to complete. We learned that the bill typically deals with grain production. However, it has recently become more involved in specialty crops. The dairy clauses in the bill are typically more complicated due to regional differences. The dairy package within the bill encompasses some $2 billion. Two main issues that often arise within the dairy industry when trying to allocate proper grants are the compact, regional divisions, and the fight between large and small farms. A good philosophy for the dairy industry to follow in the future would be to remain as friendly as possible with other industries in agriculture. Another grant under the bill will help to build up research for disease and to better control possible outbreaks.
After discussing the Farm Bill, our group spoke with Tom Suber from the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC). In his talk, he gave an overview of US dairy trade. He explained how dairy farmers spent some $10 million on exports in 2001. He explained negative factors for export growth, as well as some positive factors. We talked about who buys America’s products, and the supply and demand of these products. Tom also discussed the major agricultural issues in the World Trade Organization. He explained the three pillars of ag interest: export subsidies, market access, and domestic support.
Next, the group met with Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF. Jerry spoke with the group about the roles of National Milk. He explained that NMPF deals primarily with national issues, not state issues. Some 30 different cooperatives make up the membership of NMPF. He hopes to help build a better network between dairymen all over the US. Jerry believes that as farmers, we need to work with organizations such as Western United Dairymen to build coalitions. In doing this, we can speak as one voice and work together for a single cause.
Following our meetings with NMPF, the Leaders Group met with A.J. Yates and Rich McKee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The two individuals explained the Agricultural Marketing Service program to the group. The program deals primarily with standards. This program deals with nearly every agricultural crop. It helps to set grading and classing standards for specific commodities. Yates and McKee also touched on the processes in which the USDA will purchase some surplus commodities and give the product to institutions such as schools and shelters for the needy. Yates also talked about how the USDA is negotiating trade agreements. He believes certain changes may help to benefit many of the commodities in agriculture that are, currently, doing so poorly.
On Tuesday, the Dairy Leaders Group visited with several key legislators. During our Capitol Hill visits, we discussed a few of the more important topics concerning the dairy industry. Throughout the day, the group discussed these matters with eleven of California’s representatives as well as California’s senators. The list of topics covered with each is as follows.
Although we weren’t able to meet in person with all of California’s representatives, we were able to meet with some of their key staff members. In our discussions, I believe that we were able to gain a significant amount of support on these issues. I also think we were able to better inform some of our representatives of our point of view. I really enjoyed meeting with our representatives and listening to what they had to say about each of the issues. It was very interesting to discuss these important issues with such influential people.
Overall, I really enjoyed the trip. I was very pleased with our trip to Washington D.C., since I have never been to our nation’s capitol. It was also very interesting to meet several of California’s key legislators. It was really exciting to be able to meet each of these individuals, and relate to them on a more personal level.