Recently, 100 of my fellow dairy farmers went to Augusta for what I consider to be a demonstration of our powerlessness in the marketplace. February’s projected milk price at the farm is less than $1 per gallon after trucking and promotion fees are deducted.

Unfortunately, Augusta is nearly as powerless as we are. Federal officials set our price based on some formula that doesn’t consider what the consumer is asked to pay.

There is no negotiation. We should be glad anyone is willing to take our milk.

Farmers have always been advised to get bigger and be more efficient. Most of us followed that advice, made more milk, and watched our price fall. We continue to get the same advice.

Perhaps we should stop following.

There is a growing disconnect between farmers and consumers that will only worsen the plight of Maine dairy farmers. Perhaps it is time we take the marketing of our product back into our own hands.

Dirk Botma, Lisbon Falls