1546 Richford Road, Richford, VT 05476 /vdpa16@gmail.com Tel:  802-848-7446 FAX: 802-848-9919

April 15, 2020

The Honorable Sonny Perdue

Secretary

U.S. Department of Agriculture

1400 Independence Avenue SW

Washington, D.C. 20250

Dear Secretary Perdue:

Thank you for assisting farmers as they face unexpected challenges brought on by this Coronavirus COVID – 19  pandemic. Milk is being dumped across the country at farmer expense, markets are highly unpredictable and the price of milk continues down with no end in sight.  Mr. Secretary, it is well known that you have many tools at your disposal to work through a crisis, yet it seems the underlying question becomes effective use of them. Please direct your attention to a proposal your office received last week from National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), and International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA).

Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance (VDPA), recognizes their collaborative effort and the merits of their proposal as something which serves to address the milk crisis and rescue the dairy industry. In a broad sense we have to look at systemic function in order to survive this crisis, as proposed, that is achieved in short order by addressing the needs of dairy farmers, food processors, and consumers. The National Milk / IDFA proposal is a huge accomplishment and an unprecedented opportunity for U.S. Dairy farmers facing today's crisis, the dairy industry is at a critical juncture, it should be recognized there is little time for a meaningful response. Therefore, the board of directors of Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance respectfully request that you evaluate the proposal, incorporate the tools necessary to pursue a course of action, and begin addressing the milk crisis. Thank you for your consideration of our request.

On behalf of Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance,

Willard B. Rowell, Chairman

Richard Hall, Vice Chairman

Amanda St Pierre, Executive Director