Dairy Future Commission
Pennsylvania ranks 7th nationally in total milk production, with nearly 520,000 cows producing more than 10.6 billion pounds of milk annually. The industry supports 52,000 jobs and contributes $14.7 billion to the state's economy. However, challenging market conditions have led to a decrease in the number of farms and dairy cows in the state.
The Dairy Future Commission, the result of Act 66, signed in July 2019, is responsible for reviewing the status of Pennsylvania's dairy industry and making recommendations to support a bright future.
Specifically, they will review:
- Processing production and marketing,
- Current issues facing the industry,
- Statutory, regulatory, and local government impacts in the industry, and
- Other aspects of Pennsylvania's dairy industry as identified by the commission.
Within one year, the commission will submit a report of findings and recommendations for the industry to the legislature. Creating a favorable environment for Pennsylvania dairy farms is critical to the industry's ability to grow.
Commission Members:
Russell C. Redding, Secretary, PA Department of Agriculture
Jared Grissinger, Governor's Action Team, PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Bryan Barbin, Deputy Secretary for Taxation, PA Department of Revenue
Jon Fleming, Director of Bureau of Maintenance and Operations, PA Department of Transportation
Doug Goodlander, Environmental Program Manager, PA Department of Environmental Protection
Elder Vogel, Senator, Senate Ag & Rural Affairs Committee Chair
Judy Schwank, Senator, Senate Ag & Rural Affairs Committee Minority Chair
Judy Ward, Senator, House Ag & Rural Affairs Minority Chair
Martin Causer, Representative, House Ag & Rural Affairs Chair
Eddie Day Pashinski, Representative, Senate Ag & Rural Affairs Minority Chair
Johnathan Hershey, Representative
Brett Reinford, Reinford Farms
Gary Truckenmiller, Dry Run Dairy
Steve Turner, Turner Dairies
Carissa Itle Westwick, Vale Wood Farms
Erik Coolidge, Tioga County Commissioner, Le-Ma-Re Farms
Carol Hardbarger, Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board
Jayne Sebright, Center for Dairy Excellence
David Swartz, Assistant Director of Animal System Programs, Penn State University
Glenn Stoltzfus, PA Farm Bureau
Mary Kandray Gelesner, Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Dina Zug, Pennsylvania State Grange
Doug Harbach, Schrack Farms
Lisa Graybeal, Graywood Farms