WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Vilsack: loan help coming for dairy farmers
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Associated Press - July 6, 2009 1:15 PM ET
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says he will soon announce a plan to make it easier for dairy farmers to take out new loans or keep up with the existing payments.
Vilsack met privately with New Hampshire farmers on Monday and held a public forum at an apple orchard as part of a nationwide tour on strengthening rural America.
He said he expects an announcement in the next week or so about efforts to help dairy farmers take out lower-interest loans, reduce the principle of existing loans or temporarily forego payments.
Vilsack says he also told his staff Monday to start assembling a commission to review the federal milk pricing system as called for in the 2008 farm bill.
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