Feb. 24 2021 08:16 AM

Statement from FarmFirst General Manager, Jeff Lyon

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The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative applauds the confirmation of Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture.

“It is a welcoming sight to see the familiar face of Tom Vilsack returning to the helm of USDA. His prior experience serving as Secretary of Agriculture in addition to his leadership at the U.S. Dairy Export Council make him the ideal candidate to become the nation’s agriculture spokesperson once again, especially for dairy.

As he returns to the position, there are no shortage of challenges awaiting him, including addressing climate and environmental concerns, nutrition, food labeling and insecurity, and most importantly, providing the much-needed support for farm communities that are exhausted from battling the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on markets. FarmFirst is eager to work with him and the USDA on how to effectively and efficiently tackle these issues that best serve farmer’s interests.

It is vital that today’s Secretary of Agriculture brings both experience and leadership in this role to champion U.S. agriculture, which Tom Vilsack does. FarmFirst applauds his confirmation and looks forward to beginning work on all these issues facing agriculture today.”

FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, established in 2013 and based in Madison, Wis., represents farmers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana by providing legislative and regulatory advocacy, dairy marketing services, disaster protection, laboratory testing opportunities and industry promotion. FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative is a merger of three long-time prominent Wisconsin-based cooperatives. Learn more about FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative by visiting: www.FarmFirstDairyCooperative.com.