Spotlight on Farms As a founder and co-chair of the Congressional Dairy Farmers Caucus, launched in July 2009, Rep. Welch has worked hard to help Vermont’s dairy farmers survive the ongoing dairy price crisis. Welch testified before the House Agriculture Committee in July about the struggles facing Vermont’s family farms, introduced legislation in September to close a trade loophole hurting farmers, and organized a Caucus meeting with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in October. Welch successfully worked with Vermont Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders to provide $350 million in emergency assistance to dairy farmers in fall 2009.

"Vermont’s agrarian way of life has been central to the state’s identity since its founding. As family farmers face unprecedented challenges, it is vital to our economy, our landscape, our sense of place and our culture that we do all we can to help them succeed. I will continue to fight for fair milk prices to help struggling dairy farmers compete, nutrition programs that keep children healthy while supporting local food production and renewable energy innovations that will bring new revenue to farms. Most importantly, I will advocate for Vermont’s ‘buy local’ approach in Congress."

P.S. Click here for my agricultural resources page.

Rep. Welch's Recent Work on Farms

Vermont Harvests 6th Largest Share Of New Rural Renewable Energy Grants And Loans

November 9, 2010

Vermont's Congressional Delegation – Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I) and Congressman Peter Welch (D) – reported Tuesday that 18 Vermont farms and rural businesses will share $3,750,930 in grants and loans to support energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy projects. The loans and grants are being made through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

Th... Read More

Burlington Free Press: "Log Cabin 'natural' syrup maker relents on color"

September 29, 2010

Under fire in maple syrup country, the maker of Log Cabin All Natural Syrup said Tuesday it's getting rid of the product's caramel coloring in response to complaints by producers of the real thing.

That may not be enough. Officials in Vermont — the nation's largest producer of pure maple syrup — say the Pinnacle Foods product's label and packaging are still misleading to consumers and violate the state's maple syrup label... Read More

At Malletts Bay School, Welch unveils Fresh and Local Food for Schools Act

September 13, 2010

At Colchester's Malletts Bay School on Monday, Rep. Peter Welch unveiled new legislation he wrote to help Vermont schools provide students with fresh and local produce during school meals.

Alongside agriculture and education officials, Welch outlined the Fresh and Local Food for Schools Act (H.R. 5812), which would allow states like Vermont to use federal funds to buy local produce. The pilot program could help Vermont direct... Read More

Burlington Free Press: "Welch proposes bill for fresher farm-to-school food"

September 13, 2010

Vermont students and farmers would benefit from proposed legislation designed to bring more locally produced fruits and vegetables to schools, Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., announced Monday morning at Malletts Bay School in Colchester.

If the bill passes, Vermont schools would be well-positioned to replace current federal fresh-food aid (bulk, surplus produce such as carrots, potatoes and apples trucked from Rhode Island) with pur... Read More

Photo Album: "Rep. Welch unveils Fresh and Local Food for Schools Act"

September 13, 2010

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• July 21, 2010 — Vermont Delegation Introduces Legislation To Expand the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park

• July 14, 2010 — Rutland Herald Editorial: "New bill aims to boost dairy prices"

• July 13, 2010 — Burlington Free Press: "Vermont farmers hope push for new pricing plan is gaining steam"

• June 18, 2010 — VPR News: "Farmers Advocate For Supply Management"

• May 26, 2010 — Following Vermonter’s testimony, House chairman calls for halt to Morses Line project

• May 26, 2010 — Burlington Free Press: "Morses Line update: House chairman calls for halt to border project"

• May 26, 2010 — Blurt, the Seven Days Blog: "Mr. Rainville Goes to Washington"

• May 12, 2010 — Welch introduces bill to support dairy farmers, curb price volatility

• April 17, 2010 — Burlington Free Press: "Welch outlines dairy price plan"

• April 16, 2010 — At Fairfax farm, Welch outlines plan to address dairy price volatility

• April 14, 2010 — Welch calls for dairy support at meeting with U.S. Trade Representative

• March 29, 2010 — Welch calls on USDA to support Vermont dairy farmers

• February 13, 2010 — Leahy, Sanders, Welch Hail Vilsack’s OK Of USDA Loan For Northeast Kingdom Biomass Venture

• January 6, 2010 — Vermonter Picked For New USDA Dairy Advisory Committee

• January 4, 2010 — Burlington Free Press: "Vermont dairy farmers receive $5.7M in federal aid"

• December 31, 2009 — Vermont Receives $5.7 Million in Emergency Dairy Payments

• December 28, 2009 — Burlington Free Press: "Vermont milk prices: Supply management plans gain momentum"

• December 21, 2009 — Addison County Independent: "Emergency aid arrives for local dairy farmers"

• December 17, 2009 — Emergency Dairy Payments Approved

• October 3, 2009 — Rutland Herald: "Welch holds constituent conference call on issues"

• October 2, 2009 — Brattleboro Reformer: "Milk money"

• October 1, 2009 — Burlington Free Press: "Dairy lawmakers agree on $350M to aid farmers"

• October 1, 2009 — In meeting with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Welch calls for quick aid for dairy farmers

• September 30, 2009 — Burlington Free Press: "Bill introduced to protect dairy farmers"

• September 30, 2009 — Burlington Free Press: "Farmer, Customs clash over land"

• September 30, 2009 — Welch and Congressional Dairy Farmers Caucus hail $350 million agreement on aid for dairy farmers

• September 29, 2009 — Welch introduces bill to protect dairy farmers by closing trade loophole

• August 4, 2009 — Welch votes against bill penalizing Vermont small food producers

• July 31, 2009 — Leahy, Sanders, Welch Welcome Price Breakthrough For Dairy Farmers

• July 29, 2009 — Welch launches Congressional Dairy Farmers Caucus

• July 29, 2009 — Video: Reps. Welch, Courtney launch dairy caucus

• July 21, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch expresses support for dairy farmers

• July 14, 2009 — Welch calls for urgent action to address dairy crisis in testimony before House Agriculture subcommittee

• July 14, 2009 — Video: Rep. Welch calls for dairy crisis action

• July 9, 2009 — Welch fights for increased assistance to dairy farmers

• July 9, 2009 — Video: Reps. Welch, DeLauro, Courtney highlight dairy crisis

• May 22, 2008 — 'Got MILC’ Across The Finish Line

• May 21, 2008 — Welch lauds House override of Bush Farm Bill veto

• May 18, 2008 — Welch adds Vermont flavor to ’08 Farm Bill

• May 15, 2008 — By veto-proof margins, Congress sends to president a farm bill that will renew and expand the MILC safety net for dairy farmers

• May 2, 2008 — Vermont delegation wins MILC program extension in Farm Bill negotiations

• November 8, 2007 — Leahy, Sanders And Welch Slam Bush Administration For Targeting MILC Program In White House’s New Veto Threat To The Farm Bill

• July 27, 2007 — Farm Bill makes long-overdue progress, preserves MILC, begins necessary reform says Welch

• July 9, 2007 — Welch cites farm-to-school programs as valuable support for family farms

• May 24, 2007 — Vermont Dairy Farmers Win Key Proviso For Extending and Expanding MILC Program

• April 24, 2007 — Vermont Delegation Wins Another Key Victory In The Effort To Extend And Expand MILC Program

• March 23, 2007 — House votes to impose date certain to end Iraq war

• March 12, 2007 — Welch joins delegation in fight for pro-Vermont Farm Bill

• February 24, 2007 — Vermont Field Hearing Set For March 12 As Congress Gears Up To Write The Next Farm Bill

• January 31, 2007 — Reaction Of Sen. Patrick Leahy, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Peter Welch To The Bush Administration's Dairy Proposals For The 2007 Farm Bill