Even with the progressive policies initiated by Massachusetts Commissioner of Food and Agriculture Frederic Winthrop back in the 1970s, many farmers in the Commonwealth continued to find it difficult to compete against large corporate farms in other parts the country.  Federal farm policies, in fact, were not designed with New England farmers in mind.

"Last year (1991), dairy farmers lobbied for an eight cents per gallon "vendor's fee" to be paid by the wholesalers on all make sold in the state regardless of its origin.  Though there was broad support for the measure among consumers, environmentalists, hunting organizations, and even some Boston talk-show hosts, the measure was viewed by the Weld administration as a tax.  It lost by one vote in the Senate.

"This past February, Watson declared a state of emergency in the dairy industry, which allowed him to issue the pricing order. Under the order which was issued in June, the state collects from dealers (Hood, West Lynn, Garelick, etc.) the difference between the price they pay and the $15 minimum guaranteed (by the federal milk marketing order). The state then issues monthly checks to the farmers based on their productivity."  (Endangered Species" by B.J. Roche)

The Worcester County League News headline is really embarrassing and unintentionally misleading.  I had a strong and committed team at the Department of Food and Agriculture who made this happen.  Most notably were General Counsel Tara Zadeh, Assistant Commissioner Charlie Costa, and Director of Markets, Jim Hines.

Other key players included the Massachusetts Farm Bureau (Jay Slattery, John Bragg, Pam Comstock), The Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers, The Berkshires Natural Resources Council and the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office (Eric Smith).

Massachusetts legislators who lent strong support for the initiative included Rep. Jay Healy (who would follow me as Commissioner); Rep. Daniel Bosley; Sen. Mary Padula; Rep. Charles Decas; and Rep. Stephen Angelo, chair of the Natural Resources Committee,

In 1990 Massachusetts dairy farmers were stewards of over 300,000 acres of open space across the Commonwealth.    A significant portion of those acres were integral to the state's efforts to create a series of green corridors.

While Governor Weld was primarily concerned that the dairy vendor's fee would be perceived as breaking his no new taxes pledge, the dairy processors feared that the issue was serving as a vehicle for uniting and organizing dairy farmers.  The nature/culture of dairy farming combined with the incredible workload made organizing extremely difficult.  However, the processors realized that if they spoke with one voice, they could develop leverage against them and their profits.

Massachusetts farmers lobbied hard in my support during the gubernatorial transition. Governor William Weld asked if I wanted to continue serving as Ag commissioner.  I told him that I did.

Bill Weld had campaigned on a "no new taxes" platform.He made it clear that he did not support the vendors fee, but he would not prevent me from fighting for it as long as I keep it from being portrayed as a tax. 

We found ourselves constantly walking a delicate tightrope between Governor Weld and his staff and what we thought was in the best interest of Massachusetts farmers and open space advocates.

By the time the case was heard before the U.S. Supreme Court, I had moved on to The Nature Conservancy.  Jay Healy was serving as Commissioner at the time. although I did travel to DC for the hearing.