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Family Dairy Farms Could Be Squeezed Out
By Leslie Knopp, KOMO-TV News, Seattle: May 24, 2005 Think again. Smith Brothers Farms in Kent still delivers milk right to customers' doors. "My grandfather started it in 1920. It's just always been ours," said Alexis Smith Koester, the President of Smith Brothers Dairy. The farm is one of the few large family farms in the country that produces milk, from cow to carton. "It is a possibility it could drive us out of business. We'll do everything we can for it not to," said Koester. She's talking about fighting proposed new U.S. Department of Agriculture rules. Most farmers don't package their milk. They sell it to a milk pool system. Big companies then buy it and market it. The Smith Family does it all themselves. But, now the Feds want to require all farms that produce 350,000 gallons of milk to sell it to the pool. The rule would impact just two farms in Washington. Smith says her dairy would have to sell milk to the pool, then buy it back at a higher cost. Koester thinks the farm would lose $150,000 a month, and go out of business. "I think getting rid of the small family businesses is not good for the American consumer." She thinks less competition will force milk prices up. A USDA spokeswoman told KOMO 4 News the agency has 'no comment' on the proposed new rules until they're approved. Smith Farms hopes their customers will help them convince the Feds not to change the rules. "If the other companies wanted to, they could have home delivery," said milk drinker Diane Stephens." Her daughter gets Smith Farms milk. "It's a niche. I think everybody has a right to do whatever," she said. "I believe our 40,000 home customers are very loyal to us," said Koester. But, she knows it will take more than that to make sure her family's dairy doesn't become a thing of the past. For More Information: www.keepmilkpriceslow.org U.S. Department of Agriculture Recommendations Articles: Tough row to hoe |
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