On the eve of its first-ever virtual annual meeting, the National Milk Producers Federation today re-launched its “Farmer Focus” series spotlighting the hard-working dairy farmers who nourish the world, telling their stories in their own words and highlighting the contributions dairy makes to the economy, the environment and rural communities. The first installment features Brian Hardy, a dairy farmer near Corinne, Utah whose dairy is a true family affair. It can be read here.  

“My oldest son dairies with me, and I appreciate that relationship,” says Hardy, a member of the Dairy Farmers of America cooperative, in Farmer Focus. “Our kids are all close to us and have ties to agriculture in one way or the other. The dairy business has been great to us.” 

Farmer Focus is the flagship of NMPF’s “Sharing Our Story” initiative, which also includes its Dairy Defined thought-leadership series and CEO’s Corner, a monthly thought leadership column from NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern.  

NMPF’s annual meeting begins tomorrow and is free of charge to registrants. More information about the meeting — the largest dairy-farmer policy gathering in the U.S. — is here. Registration information is here.  

The National Milk Producers Federation applauded USDA for deciding to fund an additional $500 million for combination food boxes to be delivered through the end of the year.  The Farmers to Families Food Box program has delivered approximately $1 billion worth of dairy products to needy Americans since this spring.

“The Farmers to Families Food Box program has proven to be an effective benefit both for families needing assistance and for dairy farmers and processors providing high-quality products to those families via food boxes,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “We hope the department will build upon its successes and lessons learned from this program as it considers further initiatives during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and beyond.”

NMPF encourages vendors to maximize the amount of wholesome dairy products in the combination boxes to help the most vulnerable population in need for food assistance.

According to political forecasting website fivethirtyeight.com, Pennsylvania is currently rated as the most likely “tipping point” state in this year’s presidential election – the one most likely to put a presidential candidate past 270 electoral votes and into the White House in 2021. Wisconsin has also taken its turn at the top of the rankings of most-crucial states.

Other leading swing states include Michigan and Minnesota. These states have more in common than simply being politically competitive – central to deciding the White House in 2016 and top battlegrounds again. They’re also among the top U.S. dairy producers, putting dairy farmers at the center of an election that 69 percent of Americans consider the most important of their lifetimes.

Media articles have said that Wisconsin dairy farmers may hold the key to the White House, and dairy’s voting significance isn’t limited to the upper Midwest. Ohio, Florida, Arizona, Iowa, Texas — all of them are being actively targeted by campaigns, and each has a significant dairy presence. Much has been made of the importance of “the farm vote” in 2020. But through accident or historical design, the farmers who may have the most say in this year’s key campaigns are the ones milking cows.

With so much attention focused on where they live, what should dairy farmers or industry allies do? It all comes down to basic civics and citizenship. People vote their conscience – but from a dairy perspective, here are a few thoughts that might be helpful when considering who to vote for, at all levels of federal races.

• International trade is an important part of dairy, and will only be more so in the future.
• Federal disaster assistance has been crucial to producers this year, and the need is ongoing, for all producers of all sizes.
• Dairy labor demands continue to be acute and require solutions.
• Fake-dairy labeling has been an easy issue to kick down the road. But doing so only makes the problem worse. It must be resolved.
• All that said, a parochial approach to voting can lose the forest for the sake of a few trees. Just like everyone else, dairy is affected by the major conflicts of our society and the significant challenges that stand before our economy and our public health.

Voting in 2020 is as vital to dairy farmers as dairy products themselves are to a nutritious diet. To be better informed on dairy positions on important issues, visit the National Milk Producers Federation’s Policy Priorities pulldown on its home page, nmpf.org. NMPF also has a call-to-action page for people who wish to lend their voices to support dairy farmers and the broader industry.

Engagement is crucial, and dairy voices are especially important this year. Everyone has a part to play in making them heard. In the United States, the ballot remains the most effective expression of all. From now through Nov. 3: Choose wisely.

Tuesday, October 27

• A dairy farmer leadership panel featuring NMPF Chairman Randy Mooney, Pennsylvania farmer and DMI Chair Marilyn Hershey and Texas farmer and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) Chairman Larry Hancock will focus on lessons learned during unprecedented times.
• David Wasserman, House editor for The Cook Political Report, will offer a forecast ahead of the 2020 local, state and federal elections. Wasserman can address questions about specific House and Senate races, as well as the presidential campaign.
• NMPF also will hold a moderated Town Hall discussion, featuring senior staffers offering updates and answering questions regarding key policy issues that affect dairy farmers and U.S. dairy.

Wednesday, October 28

• A dairy executive panel will share promotion priorities and plans for 2021 and beyond, including how COVID-19 has uncovered and accelerated opportunities for U.S. dairy. Featured panelists include Gallagher and USDEC President and CEO Tom Vilsack.
• Peter Sheahan, founder of Karrikins Group and a globally recognized thought leader, will share his thoughts on how companies develop and sustain a competitive edge. Sheahan’s books include the recent “Matter: Move Beyond the Competition, Create More Value and Become the Obvious Choice.”
• A spotlight panel will share critical updates and context around the industry’s sustainability journey, featuring Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, co-op, farmer and other experts who will share why this topic is more important than ever among consumers and customers and how U.S. dairy is positioning itself for today and in the future.