Most Reverend James C. Timlin, Bishop of Scranton,
Addresses Dairy Farm Crisis in Northeastern Pennsylvania
February 2000

In Pennsylvania, our diocese and our nation, many small family dairy farmers are facing a critical situation for the survival of their land and livelihood. The cost of the price of milk has dropped precipitously in recent months and is at a level where it was in 1978, over twenty years ago. This economic situation involving our beleaguered dairy farmers is very complex and involves many factors. However, as a result of this crisis, family farmers are unable to sell their milk at a fair market value and meet basic production expenses. Many feel, with good reason, that the current pricing system is patently unfair and is precipitating this dairy crisis. Unlike many other parts of the economy, small dairy farmers have no say in the market price of milk and other dairy products. And this crisis is part of an even greater distressing situation for agriculture across the nation.

In their pastoral letter on the economy, Economic Justice for All, the Bishops of the United States rightly stated, "The fundamental test of an economy is its ability to meet the essential human needs of this generation and future generations in an equitable fashion. Food, water and energy are essential to life; their abundance in the United States has tended to make us complacent. But these goods - the foundation of God's gift of life - are too crucial to be taken for granted." (Economic Justice for All, U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1986, #216). Food is unlike any other sector of the economy because it is necessary for life itself. Therefore, we must be knowledgeable of who produces it and how it is produced.

As Catholics, we need to be concerned about this growing problem. Farming is the largest industry in Pennsylvania, with dairy a major component of farming. Many of these farms are small, family operations. For these families, farming is more than a way to make a living, it is a part of their livelihood, "a form of continuing participation in God's creation." (Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions, U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1998).

Further, our Diocese spans eleven counties, may of which include our rural communities, businesses, schools and parishes. The loss of family farms will do nothing but harm these local communities. We must be aware of what the loss of family farms will cost us in terms of economic loss, environmental degradation, growing concentrations of the ownership of land by corporate agriculture, and the loss of an integral part of our cultural landscape. Family farms are an important part of our local economy and essential to the integrity of our local communities. I agree with my brother Bishops of the United States, who have said, "There is a genuine social and economic value in maintaining a wide distribution in the ownership of productive property." (Economic Justice for All, #233).

Our Catholic social justice heritage calls us to be aware of this serious situation. Our Church's call to protect human life, promote the dignity of work, and provide for a living wage only makes sense when all people, especially dairy farmers, get an equitable return for their labor. Justice demands that small- to moderate-sized family farmers are equitably and fairly compensated for the bounty that they produce.

Therefore, as Catholics of our Diocese, we must express our gratitude for these family dairy farmers, through whose efforts and care of God's creation we are nourished with abundance. I also ask that parishes, especially those in rural communities reach out to those farm families that are in their care. I ask that you provide them with your prayers and support. To our elected representatives at county, state and federal levels, I ask that you take immediate steps to assure the long term survival of family dairy farms to develop a fairer pricing formula for milk which realistically reflects the costs of production. And to our entire Catholic faith community, and all persons of good will, I urge you to learn more about this dairy crisis and to speak up for the survival of family dairy farms. Through these steps, as disciples of Christ in this new millennium, we can truly be signs of hope for persons who are almost at the point of despair.