Robert Torricelli: “I rise with Senators Specter and Schumer in support of the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact. This issue is one of…”

“I rise with Senators Specter and Schumer in support of the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact. This issue is one of critical importance to the dairy farmers of New Jersey. It is rare that I come before this body to talk about issues affecting our Nation's farmers, however this is an issue of extreme importance to my state and family farms nationwide. Today New Jersey has less than 200 family dairy farms. These farms have been in families for centuries, and have been handed down from generation to generation. I've met with New Jersey's family farmers, from Sussex and Warren and Hunderdon Counties, and heard their concerns. I know how important they are to my State. Dairy farming is not an easy or lavish life. They milk 7 days a week, 365 days a year, starting out long before dawn, before most of us are out and about. These courageous farmers want to keep their farms, and pass them down to their children. However, without our help, they will not be able to realize this dream. The family farm is the backbone of agriculture in New Jersey; however, today, it is on the verge of extinction. In fact, New Jersey has lost 42 percent of its dairy farms in the past decade.”