A Letter to Senator Leahy - Please Help Dairy Farmers
As dairy farmers, the enjoyable parts of the job are being able to plant corn on time, help a calf learn to walk, or to get an extra cut of hay into the barn for the winter. Our passion is dairy farming so that we can make healthy food for people while investing in the local community. We don’t necessarily enjoy writing letters, or the reason why the below letter was written. The volatile state of the dairy industry compelled Donnie to put his feelings on paper in the form of a plea for help to our state Senator Patrick Leahy. Since it was sent, Donnie spoke with Senator Leahy and was able to voice his concerns and we thank Senator Leahy for being on our side. We all have a choice in how we react to the challenges in our lives and it’s important to stand up for how we feel - even if it’s hard to know if it will make a difference. We believe if enough dairy farmers stand up for positive change - it will be!
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December 4, 2018
Dear Senator Leahy,
My name is Donald Richards. Back in 1974, I believe it was when you were running for the Senate for the first time, Dan and Leo O’Brien, mostly Leo, came to my father, Robert Richards, who has since passed away, and asked if they could do a photo shoot at the farm to help you with your election. My father had done a lot of business with Dan and Leo buying cattle from them and they had become very good friend so, my father said “Of course, anything to help.”
I have followed and supported you since that time…. I was 22 years old. My brother Mike and I are now operating our father’s farm which has now been in the family for 60 years. We have been through some really rough times like all farmers have, but in the past 4 years it has been really devastating. I hear all the time about you, Congressmen Sanders and Welch working to help the farmers….but what is the hold up? If something doesn’t happen soon, my whole life as a dairy farmer is going to be a memory. I am now 66 years old and struggling tremendously to keep our farm going.
I know it is not as easy as I might think to fix this situation. There is just too much milk and no control whatsoever. Farmers just keep milking more cows. Everything we have to buy is going up and everything we have to sell is worth very little. I have gotten used to getting by making nothing breaking even; I can live with that….but when I have to operate in the hole losing money, it is horrible for me, my family, and all the families and businesses that my farm supports.
I do not want a handout or a temporary program. The programs (handouts) are not solving the problem. We need stability, a fair price for our product, not money thrown at us every once in awhile. Don’t get me wrong I appreciate the programs, but the amounts we get I lose more money than I receive from these programs before I get up in the morning at 4 a.m. and start another day on the farm.
I really feel that no one understands the gravity of the situation the dairy and agribusiness industries are facing right now. (I am not talking about the large farms out West, I am talking about Vermont farms).
We have a younger generation that would like to continue farming….what do I tell them?
My father was very willing to help you when you needed it and our family has supported you since… now I am asking for your help. I would very much appreciate if you personally could get back to me, not an aide, and discuss this horrible situation we dairy farmers are facing.
Sincerely,
Donald Richards
Meadowbrook Acres, Inc
