Welch, Goodman among dairy leaders selected for committee by ag secretary
By Carol Stender
cstender@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 03/25/2010 9:18 AM
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WONEWOC, Wis. — Jim Goodman has served on committees before, but his latest assignment has the Wonewoc dairyman traveling to Washington, D.C.
Goodman is one of 16 dairy industry leaders appointed to USDA ag secretary Tom Vilsack's Dairy Industry Advisory Committee.
Joining him on the committee is Associated Milk Producers Association president and chief executive officer Ed Welch.
The group, which will meet several times over the next two years, is charged with reviewing dairy industry issues ranging from farm milk price volatility to dairy farmer profitability and consolidation. The group will offer suggestions to the USDA on ways to best address the industry's needs.
Committee members are from across the United States. Large- and small-sized milk processors and all types of dairy farmers are on the committee.
Goodman, his wife, Rebecca and his brother, Francis, operate a 45-cow organic dairy. The cows are grazed in an intensive rotational grazing system. They also direct market beef. Another dairyman on the committee milks 3,500 cows, Goodman said.
The diversity of the group could be a challenge.
"How they will sort out all those ideas, I don't know," Goodman said. "It says a lot for secretary Vilsack and the people in the administration that they are actually asking for opinions. Whether they will listen or not is another thing."
AMPI's Welch is excited about the committee. As the panel reviews dairy industry issues, the group will also evaluate existing dairy programs and alternative policies, he said.
"My role is to represent the Midwest dairy farmer's interests," he said.
The advisory committee's first meeting is scheduled April 13-15 in Washington.