Glenn Thompson: “Last month, I had the pleasure of hosting U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue for a dairy and agriculture summit…”

“Last month, I had the pleasure of hosting U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue for a dairy and agriculture summit in Pennsylvania's 15th District at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, Pennsylvania. Joining the Secretary and I was Gary Groves, Executive Director of the USDA Pennsylvania Farm Service Agency; Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture secretary; and my colleagues Representative John Joyce and Representative Fred Keller, among others. The purpose of the event was to learn from our farm families about what is working, what is not, and where they need support the most. It was a privilege to host so many hardworking dairy farmers and to learn from their experiences. It is important that there are resources available to help the dairy industry strengthen and grow. At the summit, we discussed these resources, like the USDA's new Dairy Margin Coverage Program. Programs like these are strengthening the safety net for farm families everywhere nationwide. This revamped, voluntary program is one of the many tools available to dairy farmers around the Nation that offers more options, more flexibility, and a better return on investment. Our Nation's farmers are always working hard. Owning and operating a farm is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year job. No matter where you are from, a strong agricultural industry benefits each and every one of our lives. Of course, the hard work of these men and women would be lost without strong market opportunities.…”