Tag: nmpf state advocacy

State Issues Have National Implications; We’re Going There

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Since it began in 1916, the National Milk Producers Federation has been the premier voice for dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own in Washington, offering federal-level and expertise that best serve our members.

But Washington isn’t the only, or often even the most important, place where policies originate that affect dairy farmers. State legislatures and regulators take actions that often have implications nationwide — and in 2026, understanding state and federal policy, and how they interact, is crucial to advocate effectively at either level. That’s why, as part of NMPF’s longer-term strategic planning, we’re changing how we approach state-level issues, with resources and initiatives to better serve dairy and support advocates at the state level, even as those efforts enhance our work in Washington.

State issues hit farmers differently, depending on where they are. For example, take a look at Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, which shift responsibility for managing packaging waste from consumers and municipalities to producers. The laws have significant implications for dairy farmers and cooperatives — packaging ensures food safety, extends shelf life and maintains product quality.

States including California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington are implementing EPR frameworks. The state-by-state patchwork that’s resulting creates headaches for cooperatives and dairy businesses that operate across state lines. But the issue hasn’t bubbled up to the federal level, which means that, as important as EPR is as a policy issue for dairy, it’s not one that, as of yet, has fallen in NMPF’s “lane” as an organization that advocates on federal policy.

But that doesn’t make it any less important for our members.

Our response on EPR, and on other issues such as raw milk, has been to up our game on understanding state-level issues and helping our members coordinate efforts as what happens in one state is likely to have an echo elsewhere. Delving more deeply into state-level concerns helps us anticipate what’s coming next in Washington and also helps make sure that dairy’s opponents don’t gain wins by bypassing the federal government altogether, without us having done our part to positively influence the debate. In a policy environment where all the pieces fit together in incredibly complex ways, we’re making sure that dairy knows what’s happening in capital cities everywhere — helping us advance dairy in Washington and offering support as needed outside it.

Here are a few of the steps we are taking:

  • We’re strengthening coordination with member cooperatives and state dairy policy associations by designating a point of contact for state and regional issues and holding more regular regional coordination meetings.
  • We’ve established a State Issues Advisory Council to provide insights and feedback on state-level issues and our priorities.
  • We’ve launched a monthly, members-only State Issues Digest that summarizes key issues affecting dairy farms and their cooperatives at the state level.
  • We have also enhanced our State Dairy Association Summit, scheduled for July 14–15 in Arlington, VA, which will bring together state policy partners to discuss emerging developments. The summit will serve as a forum to address shared challenges and opportunities, while also giving our team a valuable opportunity to hear directly what is happening at the state level and explore how we can best support our state partners.

To be clear: All this work doesn’t mean that NMPF is going to become a state-level lobbyist. That’s not our established mission. But by convening experts from across America, providing information and offering case-by-case support, we’re responding to the policy pressures dairy farmers face every day — and enhancing our own work in Washington. It’s a win-win and a challenge we are ready to face.

NMPF exists to serve dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own. We’re the premier dairy advocate in Washington, and we’re proud to do work that matters to every dairy farmer, everywhere, every day. The policy landscape is changing, and we’re taking the lead in responding to it.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to us with your own observations and concerns. Everyone can be an advocate for dairy, and everyone can serve as eyes and ears at every level of government. Thank you for your help; we aim to serve.

Gregg Doud

President & CEO, NMPF

 

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.