Campaign Update - Anti-Producer-Handler Legislation Being Rushed to the Halls of Congress

We have learned that legislation S. 2120/H.R. 4015 introduced by opponents of the small dairy farmer are being rushed to the floor of Congress next Tuesday March 28th. These bills would bypass the fundamental legislative process without a hearing and without an opportunity for the public and interested parties to voice their opinion. We believe that Congress should not legislate a competitive advantage to corporate America by destroying family owned agricultural businesses. Therefore, we are asking that you contact your Congressional Representatives and let them know that you oppose this legislation as well as the manner in which this legislation is being brought forward for consideration. We know that you share our opinion that monopolistic anti-farmer and anti-consumer federal legislation is wrong. We need your help to convince Congress that this is a bad idea.

Here is how you can help.

PLEASE call your House of Representatives member and:

• Tell them to vote NO on H.R. 4015/S. 2120;
• Ask them to tell their fellow members of Congress to vote NO; and
• Tell them that quality, choice, and freshness of your milk is important.  

Here are the phone numbers for several representatives from the areas where our farms are located or where we sell our milk:

Hon. Rick Larsen (202) 225-2605
(Bellingham , WA ; Lynden, WA ; Everett, WA ; and Mount Vernon, WA)

Hon. Darlene Hooley (202) 225-5711
(Salem , OR and Benton, Clackamas, Lincoln, Marion, Multnomah, Polk and Tillamook Counties)

Hon. David Reichert (202) 225-7761
(Eastern Metro Seattle, including Bellevue , WA ; Mercer Island, WA)

Hon. Adam Smith (202) 225-8901
(South Puget Sound, including Kent, WA ; SeaTac, and Federal Way, WA)

Hon. Raul Grijalva (202) 225-2435
(Yuma, AZ ; Tucson , AZ; and Southwest AZ)

Hon. Jim Kolbe (202) 225-2542
(Southeast, AZ)

Hon. Ed Pastor (202) 225-4065
Phoenix , AZ)

Hon. J.D. Hayworth (202) 225-2190
(Tempe, AZ ; Scottsdale, AZ)

Hon. Jeff Flake (202) 225-2635
(Mesa, AZ )

If your Representative is not listed here, you can find their phone number at www.house.gov .

Also, forward this message to your friends and neighbors and ask them to let their voices be heard.

Our families have invested years of our lives in building farms and business that deliver great milk to friends and consumers like you. We want to continue doing that, but we need you help.

Sarah Farms Sues USDA

In the Final Rule, the USDA caved in to pressure exerted by large dairy interests that severly limits the ability of dairy farmers to bottle and develop a market for milk produced on their own farms. The USDA's decision to snuff out the only remaining source of competition in milk markets will severely and irreparably harm the few remaining producer-handlers like Sarah Farms.

On April 1, 2006 Sarah Farms must either raise prices charged to it's customers to reflect the new regulatory tax imposed by the Rule or suffer immediate losses for the milk sold to those customers. The USDA's action will have significant effects on consumers, which it has completely ignored, and will destroy the ability of entrepreneurs to enter the milk market.

Our fight to save producer-handlers has moved to the courts and legal action has been filed. On March 29, 2006 the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Lubbock Division will hear oral arguments on the request to stop the USDA decision.

To learn more about the public legal filings that have taken place, please browse the documents below:

• Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief
• Memorandum in Support of Plaintiffs Motion for a Preliminary Injunction
• Appendix in Support of Memorandum in Support of Plaintiffs Motion for a Preliminary Injunction

Help save family dairy farms and make your voice heard!

Send a letter to Congress