NMPF Statement on White House 2011 Budget Proposal

The proposed increases in USDA feeding programs, such as the WIC and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs, are a net positive for dairy farmers, as they will increase purchases of milk and cheese at a time when some Americans are having trouble paying for those items with their own budgets. Additional nutrition program spending is a win-win for farmers and program participants alike.


NMPF opposes the proposed means-testing of farm program payments, both by reducing the AGI income limits of who may qualify for payments, and reducing the potential size of payments themselves. These issues were considered and dismissed when Congress approved the farm bill less than two years ago, and should not be on the table now as part of the Fiscal Year 2011 budget.

A fact sheet on USDA's 2011 budget is available here.