NMPF Conducts National Grassroots Tour as Congress Prepares FFTF Legislation
October 6, 2012
NMPF Conducts National Grassroots Tour as Congress Prepares FFTF Legislation
More than 700 dairy farmers have attended the meetings NMPF arranged in July at eight locations across the West and Midwest as part of the organization’s effort to educate the industry about the benefits of the Foundation for the Future program. In addition to that national grassroots education effort, NMPF is also leading a lobbying effort to build support for new legislation encapsulating the key elements of FFTF.
A week after the grassroots meetings began, Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN) introduced a legislative discussion draft containing the elements of FFTF, an effort which drew the support of NMPF and other dairy organizations interested in making positive improvements in dairy policy.
NMPF is urging dairy producers to contact their members of Congress, using NMPF’s Dairy GREAT email system, asking them to co-sponsor Peterson’s bill. Peterson has indicated he would like to formally introduce the bill as soon as possible, once additional co-sponsors are obtained.
“This is a long-anticipated and very welcome next step in the process of upgrading dairy policy to better provide farmers with protection, stability, and the opportunity for growth,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF. “We appreciate the attention that Congressman Peterson has brought to this issue, and we will be working with him and his colleagues on Capitol Hill to help advance and implement the concepts of Foundation for the Future.”
The discussion draft text is available online.
Meanwhile, four more regional FFTF meetings will be held in August, starting next Monday in Harrisburg, PA. The schedule can be found online.