Tag: dairy fly-in

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.

Dairy Farmers Urge Action on Labor, Other Issues at Congressional Fly-in

Posted on by Jessi-Ryah Cordova

More than 80 NMPF board members and young dairy farmers met with about 100 congressional offices today in the organization’s annual fly-in, advocating on behalf of dairy on issues ranging from agricultural labor to the recent return of New World screwworm to the United States.

The fly-in came after NMPF’s June board meeting on Tuesday, which was highlighted by remarks from Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden and Ambassador Julie Callahan providing perspective on the agriculture economy and trade landscape.

“We know what we need to do,” said NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud in remarks before the fly-in. “We will push in every way we can to make things happen.”

Other action items NMPF members called for in their meeting included:

  • Passing a farm bill through the full Congress in 2026
  • Maintaining access to all types of milk in school meal programs
  • Passing the DAIRY PRIDE Act ensuring integrity in milk labeling
  • Urging lawmakers to tell the administration to strengthen dairy provisions while renewing the USMCA trade agreement.

NMPF also welcomed a new board member, Ted Vander Schaaf of Northwest Dairy Association/Darigold, and a new associate member, Illinois Farm Bureau.

The fly-in was organized by NMPF’s Young Cooperators program. The organization also held committee meetings as well as a workshop on Artificial Intelligence for co-op executives. NMPF leadership continues its meetings this week, discussing animal health and well-being along with other important industry topics.

Young Cooperators Push Priorities on Capitol Hill

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

NMPF welcomed 41 young dairy farmer leaders from 15 states to Washington, D.C. June 3-4 for the 2025 Young Cooperators (YC) Dairy Policy and Legislative Forum. Sponsored by Farm Credit, this year’s event marked the National YC Program’s 75th anniversary.

Attendees participated in policy discussions and advocacy training, including a panel discussion featuring experts in federal and state agricultural policy and a talk with NMPF Executive Committee member and Florida dairy farmer Jacob Larson, who offered insights on leadership and political engagement.

The YC Advisory Council also met with the White House Office of Public Liaison to present their perspectives on key policy priorities, including meaningful agricultural labor reform and expanded access to international dairy markets.

Participants also toured the U.S. Capitol, guided by Rep. Adam Gray, D-CA, who represents the largest dairy-producing district in the country.

YCs finished the fly-in with Capitol Hill meetings with lawmakers and their staffs.

Since 1950, the National YC Program has equipped young dairy farmers with the tools and knowledge to lead. The program offers year-round training and leadership opportunities for farmers under 45 who are part of NMPF member cooperatives. Contact your cooperative to find out how you can get involved, or click here and check the National YC Program box to learn more about the program and stay informed about future events.

Engagement Essential for Younger Producers

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

Dairy farmers are descending on Washington next week, as NMPF’s Young Cooperators lead the organization’s annual fly-in. Hannah and Matthew Lansing, this year’s chairs for the YC Program, say policy engagement is critical to dairy’s future.

“There are so many things that affect us, but they don’t affect us in a way that we see every day,” said Matthew Lansing, who along with his wife and her family milk 1,100 cows and farm more than 5,000 acres at Blue Hill Dairy in Clinton, Iowa. said. “Keeping involved and up-to-date as much as we can and pushing for things that we need on a farm on a day-to-day basis is really key for us to propel forward into the future and be what we need to be for consumers going forward.”

You can find and subscribe to the Dairy Defined podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Amazon Music under the podcast name “Dairy Defined.” For more on the YC Program, click here.

Media outlets may use clips from the podcast on the condition of attribution to the National Milk Producers Federation.