“It is an honor to have Connecticut hosting a meeting of the entire Northeast Dairy Compact Commission for the first time in the Compact’s history,” said Commission Chair Mae Schmidle, a Connecticut resident. “We certainly look forward to hearing from so many Connecticut farmers, environmentalists and elected officials.”

Beginning with Vermont in April, the Commission has been traveling to the six New England states for its monthly meetings, with each meeting focusing specifically on issues relating to the host state.

“The Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact is one of the best things to come down the pike in a long time,” said Commissioner Shirley Ferris. “It’s good for consumers, producers and farmers. Consumers benefit from the aesthetics of a working landscape and economically from stabilized prices. Farmers benefit from a stabilized income and processors continue to receive a local, fresh supply of quality milk.”

Beginning at 10 a.m., the meeting will include presentations by Erica Fearn, executive director of the Connecticut Farm Bureau, Linda Bowers of the Nature Conservancy and State Representative Jessie Stratton, co-chair of the Environmental Committee.

“The Compact has provided farmers with forums and farm dollars for the marketplace,” said Commissioner Robert Jaquier, who is also a Connecticut farmer.

For contributions to the success of the Northeast Dairy Compact, the Commission will recognize State Representative John Mordasky, John R. H. Blum, Former Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and Former State Representative Jack Tiffany.

“The three recipients of the Compact Commission’s 2001 Recognition Awards did an enormous amount to assure the original success of the Compact,” said Daniel Smith, Executive Director of the Commission. “Connecticut, with its large number of consumers coupled with over 200 dairy farms and several processors serves as a microcosm of the entire Compact region. I look forward to attending the first meeting in the state, and hearing about the impact of the Compact from a variety of perspectives.”

The August 8 meeting will be held at the Best Western Sovereign Hotel in Mystic, Connecticut from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.