La Crosse, WI—Today, Rep. Ron Kind introduced his Family Farm Rescue Plan, which focuses on five concrete steps that the Administration can immediately take to support family farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to threaten Wisconsin’s agricultural economy, with some dairy farmers being forced to dispose of thousands of gallons of fresh milk daily due to a drop in demand for dairy products typically consumed in schools, restaurants, and food service. This puts a strain on an already struggling industry. For the past two years, Wisconsin has led the nation in farm bankruptcies with an average of two dairy farms closing per day.
“Family farms are the backbone of Wisconsin’s rural economy. If the Administration doesn’t step up now and offer support, we might lose some of these farms for good,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “These are bold, decisive, and immediate actions the Administration can take that doesn’t require the creation of new programs, legislation, or appropriation. The Administration just has to decide whether or not they want to support our family farmers.”
Rep. Kind’s Family Farm Rescue Plan calls on the Administration to take the following five actions:
- Purchase excess food supply and deliver to food banks
- Ensure farmers are eligible for all small business relief programs
- Use Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds to directly support family farms
- Reopen the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program
- End the trade war and implement USMCA
