Long-Time Dairy Advocate Jaime Castaneda Announces Retirement Plans
September 2, 2026
Castaneda to Retire from NMPF in December 2026, Will Continue Supporting U.S. Dairy Trade Efforts
National Milk Producers Federation Executive Vice President Jaime Castaneda, one of the U.S. dairy industry’s longest-serving and most influential trade policy leaders, announced today his plans to retire from the organization in December 2026 after more than 27 years of service with the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC).
Castaneda has led international policy efforts for the organizations since joining NMPF and USDEC in 1999, helping transform the U.S. dairy industry into a globally competitive, export-oriented sector while advancing policies that protect and strengthen America’s dairy farmers and manufacturers. In addition, Castaneda played a leadership role for NMPF government relations over the years, leading the construction of today’s policies.
Over the course of his career, Castaneda played a central role in negotiating and advancing many of the bilateral and regional trade agreements that have benefited U.S. dairy producers and exporters. Under his leadership, the industry achieved trade surpluses in dairy products across every major trade agreement while preserving the interests of American dairy farmers.
“Serving America’s dairy farmers and this great industry has been the honor of a lifetime,” Castaneda said. “I am deeply grateful to the leadership of NMPF and USDEC, to our members, and to the countless colleagues, partners, and friends I have worked with over the years. Together, we helped build a globally competitive U.S. dairy industry that today is respected around the world.”
“Jaime’s impact on U.S. dairy trade policy and global engagement is simply extraordinary,” Harden said. “His vision, relationships, and strategic leadership helped position U.S. dairy as a trusted supplier and partner around the world. We are extremely grateful to Jaime for all that he has accomplished and appreciate that he will continue supporting the U.S. dairy industry’s trade policy goals through collaboration with our staff.”
NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud praised Castaneda’s decades of service and lasting contributions to the industry.
“The nation’s dairy farmers and dairy industry are indebted to Jaime for his years of dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment,” Doud said. “Replacing Jaime’s expertise, institutional knowledge, and influence will be a tall order, but we are extremely fortunate to have Shawna Morris leading our trade policy efforts moving forward.”
Castaneda will continue serving as Executive Director of the Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN), where he has led international efforts to protect the use of common food and beverage terms against restrictive geographical indication policies.
He also plans to continue supporting the dairy industry following his retirement from NMPF by remaining engaged with USDEC, as well as other food and agricultural organizations and companies, while spending more time with family and hiking in the mountains.
Before joining NMPF-USDEC, Castaneda served at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and held numerous roles across food and agriculture organizations and companies. His career in food and agricultural policy spans nearly five decades.
In 2022, Castaneda was elected by his peers to chair the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products, a senior advisory body that provides cleared advisor guidance to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on trade negotiations, implementation, and policy.
Among his many accomplishments, Castaneda helped lead the dairy industry’s “Foundation for the Future” initiative, which modernized U.S. dairy pricing policy to improve competitiveness in global markets and served as the basis for today’s Dairy Margin Coverage Program.
