Organization Cites Kohl's Work on Behalf of Family Farmers

and Rural Communities

WASHINGTON – Today, Wisconsin representatives of the National Farmers Union will present U.S. Senator Herb Kohl with its Golden Triangle Award for his work on behalf of family farms and rural communities.  Kohl is the Chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) budget that funds an array of dairy, research and food safety programs.  The Golden Triangle Award is the highest award given by the National Farmers Union.

AWisconsin's family farmers work hard to produce a quality product and should expect a fair price for it," Kohl said.  "The work we do in Congress can move the federal government in a direction that helps family farms grow, and is more responsive to the needs and challenges farmers face," Kohl said.

Kohl has been a leader in expanding the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program, which provides a safety net for farmers when milk prices plunge.  This year, in the Farm Bill, Kohl worked to extend the MILC program by five years and restore the payment rate for dairy farmers its original set level of 45 percent.  Kohl also worked to include a "feed cost adjuster," which would factor in feed costs when triggering payments for farmers.  Wisconsin farmers have benefited by more than $400 million since Congress enacted the program.

Kohl supported mandatory country-of-origin labeling and is also the author of legislation to allow interstate shipment of state-inspected meat and poultry products, both provisions were included in the Farm Bill this year.  Wisconsin entrepreneurs point out that such authority will help create new business opportunities for local meat processors. Wisconsin has more state inspected facilities than any other state.

 # # #