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.

 

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