Tag: dairy advocacy

Taking Stock and Gearing Up for What’s Ahead

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Editor’s Note: This column is adapted from remarks given Oct. 20 at NMPF’s annual meeting.

 

Over the past year, the dairy industry has faced a wave of challenges from Washington, state capitals, and markets around the world. Last month at our annual meeting in Kissimmee, FL, I talked about some of the big wins NMPF has shepherded for dairy in 2026, and I shared a few of my thoughts on what’s to come.

The theme of the annual meeting this year was “Committed. Resilient. Ready.” and I think that really sums this industry up beautifully. To be totally honest, it’s been a pretty darn stressful year in Washington. But time and time again, this industry has shown up and proven its commitment, its resilience, and its readiness for whatever comes next.

Right now, we’re advocating on dairy’s behalf on a number of key topics including labor, the farm bill, nutrition and trade.

The last time we talked about meaningful agricultural labor reform and actually accomplished it in the United States was in 1986, 40 years ago. Spend five minutes with any dairy farmer in this country, and you’ll hear why reform is long overdue. As we’ve said for years, dairy does not have a seasonal labor problem; we have a year-round workforce problem. Our farms operate 365 days a year, yet we have never had a visa program built for their needs. Over the past year, however, that message has gained traction in the halls of Congress and with the administration. We’ve worked with Chairman GT Thompson and the House Ag Committee. His bill, the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, is one of the strongest we’ve seen on this issue and marks a major step forward. Together, these efforts have helped shift the conversation in Washington: more offices on Capitol Hill than ever before understand that dairy farmers need a year-round workforce, not just seasonal labor. That growing understanding is real progress, but it is only the beginning. We still have a long way to go, and we won’t stop until dairies across the country can find and keep a legal, stable workforce.

We are also as close as we’ve ever been in recent years to passing a new, comprehensive farm bill with significant wins for dairy. While we secured important wins to dairy programs, such as Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC), in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, challenging market conditions have many producers wondering whether our risk management tools are keeping up. To that end, the NMPF board came together in Florida to support a package of improvements to both DMC and Dairy Revenue Protection as the House and Senate try to negotiate a farm bill in the final weeks of 119th Congress. NMPF is already hard at work trying to secure these improvements before the end of the year.

The issue of nutrition — the dietary guidelines, the broader debate about what goes on the American plate, defining “ultra-processed foods” — has taken a life of its own in Washington. We’ve been pushing everything we can think of from whole milk, defending flavored milk in schools, you name it, making the science-backed case that dairy is one of the most nutrient dense, accessible, and affordable foods that families have.

It’s been a very active couple of years on the trade front. We’ve been engaged in the USMCA joint review process since its beginning in July, working on Mexico and Canada to get them to live up to the commitments that they’ve made, especially Canada on their tariff rate quotas. Canada’s our second biggest market. It’s very important for us. We value this relationship, and I’m confident we’ll sort this out. Through August, U.S. dairy exports are up 12 percent, and if we can keep up this pace, we could set a record at $10.6 billion. Alongside the U.S. Dairy Export Council, we keep pushing to open new markets and defend the ones we have because, for a lot of our members, export markets aren’t just nice to have anymore; they’re essential.

NMPF also built out its state issues advocacy this year and tapped into state networks more than ever before to help address issues that may not have reached the federal level yet but still have major effects on our members.

The dairy industry has been tremendously committed and resilient, chipping away at these issues to make the future of dairy stronger. And we’re ready to adapt to the moment so our progress can continue.

The midterm election will result in a minimum of 83 new members of Congress next year out of the 435 House members and 100 senators. This nearly historic level of turnover will bring an immense challenge on Capitol Hill next year as we get to know all of these new members and their staff and find the ones who will work with us to advance not just dairy, but all of agriculture. It sure seems like it gets more difficult with each passing year to find staffers that understand the basic realities of dairy farming.

It is going to take all of us to deal with this. And my message is very simple: We will work with anyone we can find that is willing to pick up the mantle for dairy, regardless of what side of that aisle they are on. The issues we’re tackling are bigger than party politics.

The future of the dairy industry and its leadership is bright because we put in the time and effort in terms of staff in Washington to get these things done. We’ve had great success in Washington; we know what it takes to win, and that’s what makes this industry special.

Tomorrow’s election will bring about monumental levels of change, but we remain committed, resilient, and ready to advocate for you.

Gregg Doud

President & CEO, NMPF

 

NMPF, State Dairy Policy Leaders Push for Ag Labor Reform on Capitol Hill

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Dairy advocates from across the country urged lawmakers to support agricultural labor reform on Capitol Hill in July, concluding a National Milk Producers Federation summit for state dairy associations.

The July 14-15 meeting brought more than three dozen advocates to Washington, with farmers and industry leaders sharing priorities and strategies on dairy issues ranging from truck weights and investment tax credits to the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, legislation introduced by Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson, R-PA, that would create a workable labor system for dairy farmers.

“Ag labor is one of the most important issues of any in agriculture right now,” said Doug Holland, a dairy farmer near Olin, NC and the president of the North Carolina Dairy Producers Association. Holland listed passing a farm bill and keeping all varieties of milk in school meals as other top priorities.

Dairy farmers and advocates participated in about 50 meetings with Hill staff and lawmakers. NMPF featured four of them — Olin, Darigold farmer Austin Allred, Jamie Neill with the Idaho Dairymen’s Association and Mariah Busta of the Iowa State Dairy Association — in a series of videos posted on the organization’s LinkedIn and Facebook pages.

Thompson’s legislation represents the most significant reform to the ag workforce seen in decades. For dairy farmers, the bill grants meaningful access to the H-2A program, the main agricultural labor visa, by removing the seasonal requirements of the program and allowing contracts up to 350 days of the year. The bill also streamlines the application process, addresses cost concerns and provides a targeted mechanism to help the current dairy workforce transition to a workable visa program, ensuring a smoother transition to H-2A.

The State Dairy Association Summit, part of NMPF’s expanded member service on state-level policy, opened with a day of state-by-state reports, alongside roundtable discussions and briefings on NMPF’s federal advocacy priorities led by subject matter experts and industry leaders. Several issues recurred across nearly all state reports and panel discussions, including immigration enforcement, water and permitting pressure, ultra-processed food regulation, raw milk legalization and more.

For more on how state-level advocacy interacts with NMPF’s federal leadership, Allyson Jones-Brimmer, executive director of the Northeast Dairy Producers Association and Jim Boyle, owner-manager of his family’s dairy in Casa Grande, AZ, and the leader of the Western States Dairy Producers Association, were featured in the July Dairy Defined podcast.

State Dairy Policy Leaders Push for Ag Labor Reform on Capitol Hill

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Dairy advocates from across the country urged lawmakers to support agricultural labor reform on Capitol Hill today, concluding a National Milk Producers Federation summit for state dairy associations.

The two-day meeting brought more than three dozen advocates to Washington, with farmers and industry leaders sharing priorities and strategies on dairy issues ranging from truck weights and investment tax credits to agricultural labor reform legislation introduced by Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson, R-PA, last month that would create a workable labor system for dairy farmers.

“Ag labor is one of the most important issues of any in agriculture right now,” said Doug Holland, a dairy farmer near Olin, NC and the president of the North Carolina Dairy Producers Association, who spent Wednesday meeting with lawmakers. Holland listed passing a farm bill and keeping all varieties of milk in school meals as other top priorities.

Dairy farmers and advocates participated in about 50 meetings with Hill staff and lawmakers today.

Thompson’s legislation, the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, represents the most significant reform to the ag workforce seen in decades. For dairy farmers, the bill grants meaningful access to the H-2A program, the main agricultural labor visa, by removing the seasonal requirements of the program and allowing contracts up to 350 days of the year. The bill also streamlines the application process, addresses cost concerns and provides a targeted mechanism to help the current dairy workforce transition to a workable visa program, ensuring a smoother transition to H-2A.

The State Dairy Association Summit, part of NMPF’s expanded member service on state-level policy, began yesterday with discussions of state-level legislative and regulatory issues as well as updates on NMPF’s federal policy activities, featuring subject matter experts and industry leaders.

NMPF Brings Board and YCs to Capitol Hill

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation combined its board of directors and Young Cooperators for its fly-in to highlight its June board meeting and YC Policy and Legislative Forum, uniting generations of dairy cooperative leadership to advance issues shaping the industry.

“We will push in every way we can to make things happen,” NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud said.

The board of directors meeting held June 9-10 featured high-level engagement from the administration on trade and agricultural policy. USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden addressed the board on the department’s priorities and its engagement with the dairy sector, while USTR Ambassador Julie Callahan provided an update on ongoing trade negotiations and market access efforts critical to U.S. dairy exports.

Both presentations underscored the importance of maintaining strong federal partnerships as the industry navigates a complex policy environment.

The meeting also marked two notable additions to the NMPF board and membership. Ted Vander Schaaf of Northwest Dairy Association/Darigold was welcomed as a new board member, while Illinois Farm Bureau joined as NMPF’s newest associate member.

The YC Policy and Legislative Forum ran in tandem with the board meeting, providing the next generation of cooperative leaders an immersive look at federal dairy policy and a chance to put it into action. More than 80 YCs and board members met with about 100 congressional offices on Capitol Hill to advocate directly for dairy farmer priorities including agricultural labor reform, the Farm Bill and New World screwworm.

The joint participation of board members and YCs in the Fly-In reflects NMPF’s commitment to building a pipeline of engaged cooperative leaders ready to carry the industry’s voice to Washington for years to come.

Farmers take dairy priorities to Capitol Hill

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

By Theresa Sweeney-Murphy, Senior Director, Communications & Membership Outreach

Earlier this month, 80 dairy farmers gathered in Washington, D.C., for a fly-in that marked a milestone for the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). For the first time, participants from the National Young Cooperators Program and NMPF’s Board of Directors joined forces in meetings with nearly 100 congressional offices. This unified approach reflected a central tenet of our advocacy: Dairy farmers are most effective when they show up together, speak with one voice and ground policy discussions in real-world experience.

Throughout the fly-in, that unified presence was on full display. Producers from different regions and stages of their careers delivered consistent messages on critical issues, including agricultural labor reform, the farm bill, access to milk in school meal programs, dairy labeling standards, and trade policy under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Across Capitol Hill, farmers emphasized that these federal decisions are not abstract policy debates — they directly shape day-to-day work, farm profitability, and the ability to pass farms on to the next generation.

A central theme in nearly every meeting was the urgent need for agricultural labor reform. Participants described labor availability as one of their most significant constraints. Farmers pointed to persistent shortages and ongoing uncertainty in immigration policy as factors that continue to strain their operations, and urged Congress to pursue comprehensive reform that provides stability for employers and ensures a dependable workforce for dairy over the long term.

The strength of the message presented on Capitol Hill was built in part through our National Young Cooperators Program’s annual Dairy Policy and Legislative Forum. Participants met with staff from Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman’s office and learned how dairy priorities move through the legislative process. They also took part in policy briefings, communications training and role-playing exercises designed to sharpen their ability to explain complex policy issues clearly and confidently. The program also reinforced that effective advocacy extends beyond Washington, encouraging the young farmers to continue engaging policymakers and building relationships from home.

The upcoming farm bill was another major focus of discussions. Producers urged lawmakers to move forward with a full reauthorization that strengthens dairy risk management tools, conservation programs, and nutrition support. They cautioned that continued delays or reliance on short-term extensions create uncertainty that undermines long-term planning, investment decisions, and risk management across the dairy sector.

Nutrition policy discussions highlighted the importance of maintaining access to fluid milk in school meal programs. Farmers emphasized milk’s role as a foundational source of nutrition for children and stressed that preserving its availability in schools supports both public health outcomes and sustained demand for domestically produced dairy.

Trade policy rounded out the agenda, with NMPF members calling on lawmakers to ensure that U.S. dairy interests are fully protected and strengthened during the USMCA renewal process. Participants highlighted the importance of predictable access to key export markets in Canada and Mexico, which remain top export destinations for U.S. dairy farmers.

We are grateful for the strong support of our members and the enthusiasm they brought to Capitol Hill. Their active participation helped open doors so our team can continue to build meaningful relationships with policymakers and staff. That level of engagement adds significant value to our advocacy efforts and strengthens our effectiveness in advancing dairy farmer priorities in Washington, D.C.

 

This column originally appeared in Hoard’s Dairyman Intel on June 29, 2026.

Congressional Fly-in, AI on Agenda as NMPF Board Gathers

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

A workshop on Artificial Intelligence and a legislative fly-in open to both Young Cooperators and NMPF board members is set to highlight the organization’s June board meeting next week in Arlington, VA.

The packed agenda includes the following:

  • Committee meetings, including the Immigration Task Force, Political Action Committee, Economic Policy Committee and Scholarship Committee
  • Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden and Ambassador Julie Callahan providing perspective on the agriculture economy and trade landscape
  • A bipartisan PAC fundraising breakfast featuring Tony Wied, R-WI, and Josh Riley, D-NY
  • An update from Dairy Management Inc., featuring CEO Barb O’Brien and NMPF Board Member Charles Krause.

Workshops and discussions, including a discussion of Artificial Intelligence and its future in dairy, begin on June 8 and continue after the formal meeting June 9-10 concludes, as NMPF’s Animal Health and Wellbeing Committee meets. Also, in conjunction with the board meeting is the NMPF Young Cooperators annual fly-in, which this year has been coordinated with the board meeting schedule to allow for fuller board participation. Conversations will center around an ag labor solution for dairy, keeping flavored milk in schools, supporting the DAIRY PRIDE Act, and advancing a farm bill to the president’s desk.

NMPF tracking state-level dairy issues

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

By Sage Saffran, Senior Manager, Special Projects & Strategic Initiatives

State legislatures play a critical role in shaping the national policy landscape. Two recent examples — Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws and raw milk legislation — demonstrate how state-level actions are driving broader conversations while creating immediate challenges for dairy farmers and their cooperatives, a phenomenon the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) is tracking more closely as a service to its members.

EPR laws shift responsibility for managing packaging waste from consumers and municipalities to producers. States including California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington are implementing frameworks, all of which require manufacturers to fund and support systems for collecting, recycling, and disposing of packaging materials.

The implications for dairy producers are significant. Dairy products depend heavily on packaging to ensure food safety, extend shelf life, and maintain product quality. Alternative materials may help reduce compliance costs, but options remain limited due to food safety and freshness requirements, as well as the demands of large-scale production.

A growing patchwork of state regulations is further complicating the challenge. Companies operating across multiple states must navigate differing requirements, making the same product subject to different rules depending on where it is sold. This inconsistency increases both costs and operational complexity. NMPF is evaluating how to best address this regulatory patchwork, which comes as some lawsuits question states’ authority to impose these fees.

Raw milk legislation is also gathering state-level momentum, fueled by segments of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement. Iowa, Oklahoma, and Michigan lawmakers are considering bills that would loosen restrictions on the sale of unpasteurized milk.

Health experts continue to warn about the risks associated with raw milk consumption, noting that unpasteurized milk can harbor dangerous pathogens such as E. coli, salmonella, and Listeria, which pose serious health threats. These risks are especially higher for children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Pasteurization, a science-based process used for more than 100 years, remains a critical safeguard that eliminates harmful bacteria while preserving milk’s nutritional benefits. NMPF is actively advocating at both the state and national levels against the sale of raw milk for direct consumption due to the heightened risk of foodborne illness.

NMPF has stepped up monitoring of these and other emerging state-level issues. Recognizing that state policies often lay the groundwork for national action, NMPF is strengthening its coordination with member cooperatives and state dairy policy associations to better understand evolving regulations and support a more unified industry response.

This effort includes enhanced communication and collaboration across states. One key forum is our annual state dairy association summit, scheduled for July 14 and 15 in Arlington, Va. The meeting brings together industry stakeholders to discuss developments such as EPR implementation and raw milk legislation and explore how NMPF can best support state-level engagement.

As these issues continue to evolve, they highlight the growing influence of state policymaking on national debates. For the dairy sector, proactive engagement at the state level will remain essential to navigating change and shaping future policy outcomes.

 

This column originally appeared in Hoard’s Dairyman Intel on April 16, 2026.

New NMPF Bill Tracker Monitors Key Dairy Legislation

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

NMPF added a bill tracker to its website June 4, offering members and other dairy advocates an up-to-date hub for monitoring federal legislation that affects U.S. dairy farmers and their cooperatives.

The tracker offers users detailed information on bills NMPF is monitoring, including legislative actions, sponsors, summaries and more, making it easier to stay informed and engaged in the policy process.

The new feature adds to NMPF’s existing advocacy resources, including the grassroots action page where users can message members of Congress for critical legislation such as the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act.

Dairy Gains Strength Through its Advocates

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

Dairy farmers don’t advance better policy unless dairy farmers get involved. And don’t take my word for it: Listen to NMPF’s Young Cooperators, who met with members of Congress last month at their annual Capitol Hill fly-in.

“Forging connections with our elected officials is so important for dairy farmers,” wrote Isabel Mullin, an Agri-Mark farmer near Kittery, ME, in feedback after the event. “The communication informs them about the real-life impact of policy proposals and it informs us about potential changes coming for our farms.”

“As the general public becomes further and further removed from agriculture, it is even more important to share our experiences and build relationships with our elected officials,” said Katelyn Packard, who dairies outside Manchester, MI. “They represent our community and make decisions that affect us each day.”

Isabel and Katelyn are right. As dairy farmers grow fewer in number and demands on congressional attention rise, a personal voice is critical to breaking through the noise and misinformation that dominates federal policymaking. Important decisions for the future of dairy are coming over the next few months, ranging from a new farm bill and Federal Milk Marketing Order discussions to efforts to get whole milk back in schools and bring greater transparency to the labeling of plant-based beverages that use dairy terms.

All these challenges will make grass-roots engagement from dairy farmers and their affiliated organizations, as well the broader dairy industry and allies among the public, that much more important. That’s why our preparations for an FMMO order hearing are being led by our member cooperatives, who with us are coordinating farmer testimony during the upcoming weekslong USDA hearing. That’s why we’ve created a Dairy Voice Network of farmers trained to deal with media interviews and speak out for the industry. It’s why we help our cooperatives prepare farmers for congressional hearings on the farm bill and other topics.

Dairy farmers need a seat at the table; we work both to get them there and help them be effective in that position.

Also critical to our efforts are our Calls to Action – a way for dairy farmers and their friends to get involved that’s as simple as sending an e-mail. Our Advocacy page, found at https://www.nmpf.org/take-action/ offers updates on critical initiatives affecting farmers and provides tools for dairy advocates to make themselves heard via letters to relevant lawmakers and policy officials.

Currently, the page offers opportunities to help on the FDA’s draft guidance on plant-based beverages; the SAVE Act, a critical piece of legislation defending U.S. cheesemakers from European Union attempts to restrict what names are used for cheeses; and the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which would put whole and 2% milk back on school lunch menus. Calls to support dairy farmers in the farm bill and through Federal Milk Marketing Order modernization will be coming soon.

We’d urge everyone who cares about dairy’s future to visit the page and sign up for our Advocacy Alerts, where advocates are notified of important policy developments and asked to act upon them. As an organization, the National Milk Producers Federation has always worked with a strength that’s greater than its numbers – and that strength comes from the unity of our community. With important initiatives imminent, now is a great time to reinforce this strength. We’re hoping you can help.

 

Jim Mulhern

President & CEO, NMPF