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Scudder Parker On The Issues |
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Agriculture |
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I grew up on a dairy farm in the Northeast Kingdom, where I learned what hard work really means. Over my lifetime the farm changed, as automation and machines replaced much of what we used to do ourselves, but I still remember milking our cows by hand before and after school each day. I will bring that same commitment and sense of responsibility to work with legislators in the State House, federal officials, and the state's congressional delegation to build and support a vibrant agricultural economy in Vermont.
The lives of all Vermonters are touched by agriculture. Everywhere we look, we see the beauty of Vermont's agriculture at work. Our farms provide a unique bounty and plenty of healthy, local food. They are the backbone of our rural communities, and shape our landscape. In so many ways, Vermont's agriculture defines who we are as a state.
It is time for Vermont's governor to embrace all the opportunities presented by this unique and special relationship between the state and its native agriculture. Vermont's agricultural potential, if managed well, could lead the nation and world in innovation and responsible land stewardship. Our current governor, and the people he has appointed to critical posts in his administration, have turned their back on this potential, and the Vermonters who are committing themselves everyday to making it a reality. We must renew the state's commitment of resources to support an inclusive agricultural economy, a diverse community of producers who come together because of their shared commitment to produce wholesome food for our tables and to nurture the soils and our ecology, now and for future generations.
Vermont agriculture continues to be defined by the dairy industry. Dairy farm receipts comprise upwards of 90% of total agricultural production. The dairy industry remains the foundation of the agricultural infrastructure for many if not all other forms of production. The availability of feed, equipment, extension support, and financing opportunities for all agricultural pursuits continues to depend on the maintenance of a vibrant dairy industry in Vermont.
Despite its place in our economy, conventional dairy farming in Vermont continues to be plagued by cycles of chronically low and unreliable milk prices. Improvements in farm efficiencies continue and help lower production costs, but most farmers remain unable to make consistent profits. These facts lead to a real concern about where tomorrow's farm labor force will come from. Many of our young people are turning away from family-owned farm operations that combine high demands on their time and energy and relatively low financial returns.
We have to work together to protect farmer's interests as the agricultural industry changes in response to technological and genetic advancements, so that all kinds of farming techniques remain viable options. Solutions to these problems won't come from dividing farmers - small versus large, conventional versus organic - as has happened too often under the Douglas administration. We have to find ways to bring farmers together, instead of pitting them against each other if we want Vermont's agricultural future to reach its full potential. This is true for dairies, as much as our other agricultural industries and is true whether the operations are conventional, organic or small-scale farms.
Bit by bit renewal is happening in Vermont due to the explosion in demand for organic dairy products, and as a result of the entrepreneurship of individuals who are creating niche markets for small batch cheese, sheep, apples and beef. The strong attraction of the fertile environment that Vermont has both in its land and brand appeal is bringing new farmers into the state. This growth, however, cannot be gained at the expense of conventional farmers who have worked the land for generations. A balance exists, and must be achieved. It will be best achieved if the Agency of Agriculture is embracing this trend and encouraging it, rather than fighting it.
In recent years Governor Douglas and his leadership in the Agency of Agriculture have missed opportunties to take proactive steps to support our farmers, and seem to think that there are market answers to Vermont's agricultural challenges. In such a tightly regulated market, however, this "wait and see" approach has hurt Vermont's farmers time and time again. Vermont is one of the nation's recognized leading dairy states, and the most dairy dependent state of all. Vermont's governor, therefore, has tremendous opportunity and responsibility to be a leader in this key area. My administration will assist large-scale dairy producers in confronting their challenges, at the same time as we work to build up small diversified farms. We can continue to lead the nation's conventional dairy marketplace, while at the same time embracing those Vermont producers acting as trail blazers for organic and other burgeoning industries.
We can chart a secure path to the future with an agriculture policy based on traditional Vermont values: independence, self-reliance, resourcefulness and conservation; a deep sense of environmental responsibility, and a willingness to lead on critical issues. I will keep the following principles in mind as I work with, not against the farmers of Vermont:
- agriculture is the keystone of VT economy and we have to do what we can to keep our farms in place and grow and diversify them;
- Vermont's leaders should take every measure to create strong local food systems, working with our farmers and homesteaders so that we have the healthiest animals possible; and
- Vermont's Agency of Agriculture should work with, not against, farmers, and must listen to feedback from the entire community. A Parker administration would not force unworkable federal mandates or false agri-business “compromises” on Vermont farmers.
As governor, I will:
- work to promote local agriculture and support family farmers by creating policies that help our local food systems and local economies to flourish. Vermonters need leadership from their governor;
- create partnerships with Vermonters who operate farms of all sizes to invest in Vermont's agricultural economy and expand opportunities;
- fight for fair milk prices;
- support the efforts of our Congressional delegation to bring federal assistance, when needed, to Vermont from Washington;
- work with other governors from dairy states, regardless of party, to find fair ways to fund, support and sustain our dairy farms;
- offer support and encouragement for all the creative entrepreneurial energy found within Vermont's agricultural community and
- encourage value-added producers and support new niche markets.
The lessons I learned on the farm growing up have not been lost on me. Vermont's agricultural economy deserves a governor who will fight to make sure the farm traditions that make us unique continue to grow and thrive. With investment, vision, leadership and me - Scudder Parker - as your governor, we can.
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