I want to understand policy issues affecting dairy
The 7,400 dairy farm families who make up Pennsylvania's dairy industry are a vital economic engine for the state, providing the foundation for a $4.5 billion industry and supporting more than 45,000 jobs. In fact, dairy accounts for 40 percent of all agricultural receipts within the state. Pennsylvania's dairy producers depend on sound legislative policies and fair regulations supporting sustainability dairy businesses in the state.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Center for Dairy Excellence, with input from the Pennsylvania Dairy Task Force, have also drafted a list of dairy policy recommendations for dairy policy reform. Click here to review those recommendations.
The US Dairy Industry Advisory Committee recently released its final recommendations for U.S. dairy industry policy. Click here to view the full report. For a summary of the recommendations, click here.
The Northeast Dairy Leadership Team
An alliance initiated by a memorandum of understanding signed by the departments of agriculture in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont in June 2006. The NEDLT’s vision is to be the driving force for a vibrant, growing dairy industry through dynamic regional stakeholder collaboration.
The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
A general farm organization providing legislative support, services and information to Pennsylvania's farmers and rural families since 1950. The Farm Bureau provides its farming members with representation in Washington and Harrisburg concerning farming legislation.
Pennsylvania State Grange
A non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life, promoting family life, and advancing the cause of agriculture through a myriad of programs and events, many at the grassroots level.
Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania
Founded in 1994, PDMP brings together progressive producers to interact in an educational and informational way with other progressive producers and agri-business persons. With advocacy as a key focus for the organization, PDMP often provides a dairy producer voice on policy issues affecting the industry.
The Dairy Policy Action Coalition (DPAC) is a coalition of grassroots dairy producers actively participating, with a unified voice, on policies and issues affecting milk pricing. First organized in 2009, DPAC's board of directors now includes dairy producers from Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana, and Wisconsin, with ad hoc members serving on action groups from several other states as well.
Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board
The Milk Marketing Board provides a regulatory environment that facilitates a safe, adequate supply of wholesome milk by providing security for its dairy farmers and milk dealers; while providing an adequate supply of dairy products for consumers.
To review a summary of programs and initiatives released by the PMMB to increase dairy farm income and securities in the Northeast, click here.
PennAg
A member-based trade association representing agribusiness in and around Pennsylvania, PennAg provides legislative representation, information and member benefits to the service sector of Pennsylvania agriculture. PennAg's councils provide additional support and representation for multiple sectors of the industry.
National Milk Producers Federation
A farm commodity organization representing most of the dairy marketing cooperatives serving this nation. NMPF members market the majority of milk produced in the U.S., making NMPF an effective voice on national issues affecting dairy cooperatives and their members.