HONESDALE, PA — Dairy farmers are finding it increasingly difficult to remain in business because of federal milk pricing policies, and 11 northeastern PA counties are seeking relief.

The Wayne County Commissioners on May 5 added the county’s support to a joint letter from those counties and supported by the County Commissioners Association of PA.

The letter, addressed to state and federal legislators, calls for a “roundtable type meeting” to address the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) milk pricing structure, and it stresses the urgency of the situation.

According to the letter, “Our farms and agricultural businesses are under much duress. The level of payment that farmers are receiving for their milk is simply insufficient. The result is that even multi-generational farms will go out of business.”

Privately, many dairy farmers complain that the pricing structure is designed to do just that, leaving milk production to large multi-national dairy industry concerns.

The letter is also a warning. “Other countries do not have the same regulations as the USDA. If we continue to trend in this direction, we place ourselves at risk with the possibility of food shortages and/or unsafe food and, in effect, compromise our national security.”

The pricing problem has also impacted other farm related businesses. “Many other businesses are also suffering as a result of this upside-down market. Farmers are not able to pay bills, buy supplies or purchase equipment, feed, fertilizer, etc.”

Wayne Chairman Brian Smith, who is a dairy farmer forced to drive a school bus to supplement his income, said, “The price is not enough in simple terms. We need a way to deal with inventory. When farmers make money, they make more milk. In order to have a conversation, we have to be at the table.”

A replacement for Commissioner Jonathan Fritz

Smith commented last week that the commissioners have received word of interest from several potential candidates to fill the commissioner seat of Jonathan Fritz, who defeated two other challengers, including former Rep. Jerry Birmelin, in the April 26 Republican primary election for the 111th Pennsylvania House seat being vacated by incumbent Sandra Major.

The Democratic Party has not named a challenger for the seat, and with the district’s heavy Republican majority, victory in the primary has historically been tantamount to victory in the November general election.

Smith said a replacement for Fritz would be decided solely by Court of Common Pleas President Judge Raymond Hamill, without any other input. Under state law, Hamill’s only constraint is that the replacement be a member of the same political party. Fritz was re-elected last fall, and the appointee would serve out the three remaining years of that term.

As for the presumptive state legislator, Fritz is still getting used to the idea. “When I was a kid, I couldn’t imagine being the Mayor of Honesdale (which he was) one day.”