Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a longtime organic farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman Tony Wied (R-Wisc.), and Congressman Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to support organic dairy farmers in Maine and across the country. The Organic Dairy Data Collection Act would enhance data collection at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to better understand the costs associated with producing organic milk. 

“Organic dairy farmers across the country are continuing to grapple with volatile markets, persistent inflation, and unfair trade practices that drive up costs and squeeze already-thin margins. Without targeted action, we risk more farm closures, weakened regional food systems, and fewer organic choices for consumers,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “That’s why I’ve teamed up with Congressman Langworthy and Congressman Wied to introduce the Organic Dairy Data Collection Act—a bipartisan bill that would give USDA the tools it needs to better understand and address the unique challenges organic dairies face. As Congress works to reauthorize the Farm Bill, I’m fighting to make sure this commonsense fix is part of a broader effort to strengthen the organic sector and ensure it remains a resilient and competitive part of our food system.”

"I am proud to introduce the bipartisan Organic Dairy Data Collection Act with my colleagues, which will provide much-needed transparency and support for New York’s organic dairy farmers,” said Congressman Langworthy. “New York State is home to hundreds of organic dairy operations that are vital to our rural economy and food supply. By directing the USDA to collect and publish accurate data on costs and milk prices, this bill ensures our farmers have the information they need to make informed business decisions and stay competitive. I’m grateful to the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York and other advocates for championing this effort.”

“Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District is home to many incredible organic dairy farms, and I am proud to support them by co-leading the Organic Dairy Data Collection Act with Reps. Pingree and Langworthy,” said Congressman Wied. “This bipartisan legislation will provide organic dairy farmers with the tools they need to increase market choice, and continue to thrive for years to come. This is a common sense bill and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get it passed and benefit our great farmers.”

The bipartisan Organic Dairy Data Collection Act:

• Directs USDA to collect and publish cost-of-production data for organic milk, including the costs of major organic feedstuffs, domestically produced or imported. 
• Directs USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to gather and report monthly data about the amounts that organic dairy farmers are being paid for organic milk. 
• Directs USDA NASS, the Economic Research Service (ERS) or Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to publish reports on the cost of production data by state, regional data on the quantity of organic milk production and prices.

This legislation is supported by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Organic Trade Association, Organic Farmers Association, National Organic Coalition, Organic Farming Research Foundation, Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance,Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York. 

“Improved organic data collection and reporting, bolstered by this bill, is going to provide more reliable and consistent information on organic dairy production costs and markets. The reality is that this type of information can vary region by region so this effort can help farmers like me plan for the year and make decisions on what actions I need to take on my organic dairy,” said Annie Watson, organic dairy farmer and owner of Sheepscot Valley Farm in Whitefield, Maine. “Representative Pingree continues her life’s work to advance organic agriculture with this bill – big thanks to her and Representatives Langworthy and Wied for introducing this targeted but meaningful bipartisan legislation.” 

"We are thankful to Congresswoman Pingree and Congressmen Langworthy and Wied for taking the lead and acknowledging the lack of data we have accessible for organic dairies. This is a nationwide issue affecting organic dairy farmers of all sizes and backgrounds. Our hope is that this information becomes the conduit to many necessary conversations that the sustainability and succession of our industry hinges upon," said Lia Sieler, Executive Director of the Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance.

"Family run organic dairy farms provide healthy food and environmental stewardship to rural communities across the country. The Organic Dairy Data Collection Act can provide valuable data collection to inform future support for an industry facing economic crisis," said Kate Mendenhall, Executive Director of Organic Farmers Association. "We applaud Representatives Pingree and Molinaro for championing this important work."

“The famous business adage "You can't manage what you don't measure" applies to the organic dairy market. The Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance supports the Organic Dairy Data Collection Act as it will provide that necessary measurement by requiring the collection and publication of data that will shed light on the state of the organic dairy sector. Representative Pingree’s leadership with this Act will help facilitate understanding and improvement in the market,” said Kathie Arnold, a New York organic dairy farmer and chair of the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance’s policy committee.

"Organic dairy producers and consumers in Maine and across the country are grateful to Representative Pingree for her introduction of the Organic Dairy Data Collection Act," said Sarah Alexander, Executive Director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA). "A perfect storm of adverse effects, including escalating costs of production, low pay-prices, a labor shortage, unstable international supply chains, and dramatically shifting weather patterns have created a crisis for the organic dairy sector. This legislation is a critical component of an urgently needed rescue plan for organic dairy. Having a clear national picture of all costs associated with organic dairy production in each state, regional production data and pay prices will help ensure that technical and financial assistance goes where it is needed most."

"Farmers, like all business managers, depend on solid and trustworthy data to make decisions. With the continued fluctuations in market conditions from global events impacting domestic organic dairy farmers, it is more important than ever for producers, stakeholders, and USDA to have access to accurate data. The Organic Trade Association is grateful for the vision and work of Reps. Pingree, Langworthy and Wied in introducing this important legislation, which will result in better and more useful regional organic dairy data collecting and reporting. We look forward to working with the sponsors in the House of Representatives to ensure its passage,” said Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO of the Organic Trade Association. 

Background:

As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Pingree is working to support Maine dairy farmers in the upcoming Farm Bill. 

Maine is home to a number of organic dairies and June marks Maine Dairy Month in honor of the dairy farmers, students, researchers, and Maine people behind a cornerstone of Maine's agricultural economy and rural communities. 

In December 2023, the House passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which Pingree co-sponsored, to help students thrive at school and support local dairy farmers and local economies. 

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