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

Burlington Free Press: 'Vermont delegation pushing for year-end dairy deal'

December 1, 2012

The Vermont congressional delegation is pushing for a last-minute deal to pass a farm bill that protects dairy farmers from plunging milk prices, but they are running out of time as the 112th Congress draws to an end.

"We're going to do everything we can, but nobody can predict whether we'll succeed or not," said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

Congress is expected to adjourn sometime before Ch... Read More

Burlington Free Press: Welch: 'Dairy farmers are in jeopardy'

September 20, 2012

Congress will leave town Friday for nearly two months without taking action on a farm bill, leaving Vermont dairy farmers with no safety net in place if milk prices drop.

The current federal subsidy for dairy farmers, the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program, expires at the end of this month. The farm bill, which passed the Senate but is stalled in the House, would replace the subsidy with a voluntary federal insurance pr... Read More

Rutland Herald: 'Welch pushes for House vote on farm bill'

September 15, 2012

Citing the potential impact on dairy farmers, Rep. Peter Welch, a Democrat, has teamed up with a Republican colleague from the nation's heartland to push for a vote on legislation reauthorizing the nation's farm programs before the current "farm bill" expires at the end of this month.

In the wake of Senate passage of a five-year farm bill reauthorization earlier this summer, Welch has joined with Rep. Kristi Noem, a Republica... Read More

Leahy, Welch, Sanders Push For Stopgap Patch For The Dairy Safety Net Until New Farm Bill Is Enacted

September 14, 2012

With hopes rapidly fading for a new Farm Bill before the current one expires at the end of September, dairy policy leaders in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House -- led by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and joined by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) -- are pushing for a temporary fix for the dairy safety net until the new dairy program that is included in both the Senate and House versions of the Farm Bill becomes law and can be pu... Read More

Gov. Shumlin, Congressional Delegation announce long-term recovery funds

September 12, 2012

Gov. Peter Shumlin and Vermont’s Congressional delegation today announced the availability of long-term disaster recovery funds for housing, economic recovery and community infrastructure projects.   That announcement followed federal approval of the state’s plan to use $21.6 million in funding through the Community Development Block Grant Program.  

“This funding will help communities, homeow... Read More

• August 31, 2012 — Brattleboro Reformer: 'Rep. Welch bemoans lack of progress on farm bill'

• August 28, 2012 — Boston Globe: 'Vt's Welch wants EPA to suspend ethanol mandate'

• August 25, 2012 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch visits Bristol Farmers' Market'

• August 24, 2012 — VPR: 'Welch Wants EPA To Suspend Mandate For Ethanol In Fuel'

• August 18, 2012 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch visits Orleans County Fair'

• August 10, 2012 — VPR: 'Welch Says He's Optimistic Farm Bill May Pass This Year'

• August 4, 2012 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch speaks at the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference'

• August 4, 2012 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch visits Franklin County Field Days'

• August 3, 2012 — St. Albans Messenger: 'Farm Bill hopes dwindling'

• August 3, 2012 — Reps. Noem, Welch Encourage Colleagues to Keep Building Support for Farm Bill

• August 2, 2012 — The Hill: 'Rural lawmakers launch effort to force vote in House on five-year farm bill'

• July 31, 2012 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch holds press conference on House inaction on new Farm Bill'

• July 31, 2012 — WCAX: 'Vt farmers worry over stalled farm bill'

• July 31, 2012 — NECN: 'Vt. Rep. Welch: "America needs a Farm Bill" '

• July 29, 2012 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch visits Stowe Farmers' Market'

• July 26, 2012 — St. Albans Messenger: 'Delays threaten food programs'

• July 20, 2012 — Roll Call: 'Members Prod House Leaders for Vote on Stalled Farm Bill'

• July 19, 2012 — The Hill: 'House Republicans pressure Boehner to bring up farm bill'

• July 19, 2012 — Politico: 'Lawmakers press House leaders on farm bill'

• July 19, 2012 — Noem and Welch lead bipartisan group of 62 urging a vote on Farm Bill

• July 14, 2012 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch visits Bennington Walloomsac Farmers’ Market'

• July 14, 2012 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch visits Mt. Holly Farmers' Market'

• July 12, 2012 — VPR: 'Welch: Farm Bill Carries Good News, Bad News For Vt.'

• July 11, 2012 — Welch leads successful effort to protect crucial dairy reform provision

• July 9, 2012 — Addison Independent: 'Dairy farmers urge reform in farm bill'

• June 24, 2012 — St. Albans Messenger: 'Welch Meeting a Rallying Cry for Farm Bill"

• June 22, 2012 — VPR: 'Delegation Hails Farm Bill Dairy Provisions'

• June 22, 2012 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch hosts St. Albans Farmers’ Roundtable'

• June 21, 2012 — Senate Approves New Risk-Management Dairy Safety Net In Farm Bill

• June 12, 2012 — Leahy, Sanders, Welch: Vermont’s Harold Howrigan Appointed To The National Dairy Board

• April 20, 2012 — WCAX: 'Can Washington help save Vt family farms?'

• February 22, 2012 — Delegation announces $930,000 loan to Jasper Hill Farms in Greensboro, supporting value-added agriculture in Vermont and state’s growing cheese industry

• February 20, 2012 — VPR: 'Delegation Wants To Extend MILC Program For Farmers'

• February 18, 2012 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch attends St. Albans Cooperative Creamery Annual Meeting'

• February 17, 2012 — Delegation introduces bill to extend vital safety net for Vermont dairy farmers

• February 3, 2012 — Leahy, Sanders, Welch: Nine Grants To Vt. Firms Will Plow $857,542 Into Strengthening Value-Added Agricultural Innovation

• January 19, 2012 — Burlington Free Press: 'Vermont to receive $8.7 million in flood aid'

• January 18, 2012 — Delegation announces $8.7 million in Irene recovery assistance for Vermont farmers and property owners

• December 3, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch Attends Pete’s Greens Barn Warming Party'

• December 1, 2011 — Vermont syrup producers to receive grants to make production more energy efficient

• November 21, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch visits Maple Grove Farms'

• November 15, 2011 — Disaster assistance programs for Vermont farmers to receive funding

• October 18, 2011 — At Westminster farm, Welch outlines plan to help Vermont farmers recover from Irene

• October 8, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch visits the Rutland Farmers' Market'

• October 5, 2011 — Bennington Banner: 'Welch bill would put local food in local schools'

• October 4, 2011 — Welch introduces bill to help Vermont farmers by using federal funds to buy local food for schools

• October 3, 2011 — Brattleboro Reformer: 'Congressional trio: New grant for farmers'

• September 30, 2011 — Delegation announces grant to help train new Vermont farmers

• September 27, 2011 — Burlington Free Press: 'Welch co-sponsors legislation to reform federal dairy programs'

• September 15, 2011 — VPR: 'Welch Introduces Bill To Help Small Farms'

• September 14, 2011 — Welch and Gibson introduce bipartisan legislation to help farmers get disaster assistance

• August 19, 2011 — Rutland Herald: 'Farms get grants for $100,000'

• August 19, 2011 — Brattleboro Reformer: 'Solar grants shine on local companies'

• August 18, 2011 — Ten Vt. Farms And Businesses Net Energy-Saving Grants

• August 12, 2011 — WCAX: The future of farming in Vermont

• August 11, 2011 — St. Albans Messenger: 'Farmers offer input on new dairy plans'

• August 10, 2011 — In St. Albans, Welch hears from Vermont dairy farmers about need for price stability

• August 10, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch holds dairy roundtable in St. Albans'

• August 10, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch holds dairy roundtable in St. Albans'

• August 9, 2011 — Photo Album: Rep. Welch visits the Rutland Farmers' Market

• July 23, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch visits Burlington's Farmers' Market'

• June 16, 2011 — Welch reacts to Senate vote to end taxpayer subsidies to the ethanol industry

• June 16, 2011 — On House floor, Welch pushes to end ethanol subsidies

• May 6, 2011 — Welch introduces bill to provide dairy farmers access to workforce program

• March 30, 2011 — Welch introduces legislation to invest in and promote Vermont’s maple syrup industry

• March 23, 2011 — Delegation applauds nearly $1.8 million to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to Vermont school children

• March 21, 2011 — WCAX: 'Congressman wants real and fake syrup separated'

• February 25, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch holds Farm-to-Plate Roundtable in Dummerston'

• February 7, 2011 — Welch announces subcommittee assignments for 112th Congress

• February 4, 2011 — Burlington Free Press: 'Welch looks for ideas in new role on Ag Committee'

• February 3, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch holds Farm-to-Plate Roundtable'

• January 27, 2011 — Photo Album: 'Rep. Welch attends Dairy Famer's Appreciation Banquet'

• January 19, 2011 — Welch appointed to House leadership team

• November 9, 2010 — Vermont Harvests 6th Largest Share Of New Rural Renewable Energy Grants And Loans

• September 29, 2010 — Burlington Free Press: "Log Cabin 'natural' syrup maker relents on color"

• September 13, 2010 — At Malletts Bay School, Welch unveils Fresh and Local Food for Schools Act

• September 13, 2010 — Burlington Free Press: "Welch proposes bill for fresher farm-to-school food"

• September 13, 2010 — Photo Album: "Rep. Welch unveils Fresh and Local Food for Schools Act"

• 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

• May 10, 2001 — Fighting for Our Farms