The May 26 op-ed written by Will Coggin (“A California law is hurting Maine farms and consumers. Congress can fix it.”), research director at the Center for the Environment and Welfare, offered support for the 2026 Farm Bill that strips enforcement of California’s Proposition 12. Wary of nonprofits whose names might be contradictory to their purpose, I did a little research.

Proposition 12 regulates living space and housing conditions for egg-laying hens, breeding pigs and veal calves in California. That made me wonder how a Center for the Environment and Welfare would oppose providing humane conditions for such animals.

Coggin is not only the research director for the center, but also vice president of research for Berman and Company, a public affairs PR firm based in Virginia specializing in campaigns for food, fuel and alcohol corporations. 

The website for the center shows only two staffers, with Jack Hubbard as executive director (also owner and partner of Berman and Company). Berman and Company is reported to have created more than 30 shell nonprofits advocating for various industries. More than likely, the center is just a website funded by one of Berman’s many corporate interests.

Industries are certainly welcome to share their points of view, but it is disingenuous to do so hiding behind a creatively named nonprofit. The opinion piece suggests readers contact our Sens. Collins and King to advocate for passage of the current Farm Bill. At their urging, I will contact them and let them know my opposition to this bill for many reasons.

Larry Ely
Falmouth