Russ Feingold: “while the current economic downturn did not begin in rural America, the full brunt of the impact is certainly being felt…”

“while the current economic downturn did not begin in rural America, the full brunt of the impact is certainly being felt by many of our farmers and small rural communities now. The dairy sector has been especially hard hit in Wisconsin and across the Nation as evidenced by a call last week for the USDA to take additional actions to help remove a surplus of dairy products from our markets in a letter led by the senior Senator from Wisconsin and myself and signed by 33 other Members including the distinguished chairman of the Agriculture Committee. A provision in the current legislation also takes another important step to help soften the landing for farmers facing drops in the prices they receive of approximately 50 percent as we are seeing in dairy over the recent months. I am very appreciative of the fact that the Appropriations Committee includes critically needed farm loan funding for direct and guaranteed ownership and operation loans for our Nation's family farmers who are struggling along with everyone else through this economic recession. It is critical they get access to the financing they need to stay in business and keep their operations intact.”