The Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA)’s mission is to maintain a viable, consumer-conscious dairy industry that prioritizes the well-being of communities, employees, and the environment. Since 1993, NEDPA has served as the VOICE, the RESOURCE, and the NETWORK for dairy farms in the Northeast. Critical to NEDPA’s success has been the support of business partners who believe in NEDPA’s work and want to help dairy farms in the Northeast remain viable for generations to come.
NEDPA’s membership includes a diverse array of dairy farms, representing more than 251,000 cows with an average herd size of 1,500 cows. These farms produce more than half of the milk in New York State. Our business and industry partners who comprise our Affiliate and Associate memberships are also vital to NEDPA. Collaboration across industry groups, including with NEAFA, is essential to the future of the dairy industry.
NEDPA legislative priorities
As we look to the 2025 legislative session, NEDPA plans to highlight the importance of investment in dairy producers to help meet expanding dairy processing capacity, which has been bolstered by state investment. We will be focused on slowing the pace of regulatory change to ensure a viable dairy industry for the future.
Labor issues remain a top priority for New York’s dairy farm families. Labor costs are rising and attracting employees remains a challenge. We value and will continue to advocate for Cornell University’s Agriculture Workforce Development Program and the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH). We recently welcomed Assemblymember Harry Bronson, chair of the Assembly Labor Committee, to Mulligan Family Farm. We shared our concerns with the Temperature Extreme Mitigation Program (TEMP) Act. We highlighted all the work farms do to provide a safe environment for employees and opportunities for training through many industry partners, including consultants, veterinarians, nutritionists, Cornell Ag Workforce Development and NYCAMH.
As the state focuses on climate and water quality issues, we will continue to ensure farmers and industry experts have a seat at the table in these discussions. The North American Manure Expo held at Patterson Farms in July was a prime example of industry collaboration for the benefit of all. Farmers were able to see the latest technology in action, learn from each other, and talk with business leaders and researchers. It also allowed us to engage with legislators and regulators to show them our innovation in environmental stewardship. Funding for Cornell’s PRO DAIRY program, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the Cornell University Ruminant Center (CURC) are vital to research, outreach and implementation efforts to help meet the state’s environmental goals.
Ensuring access to markets is also a priority area for us, including addressing transportation issues. We are building on our past collaborations with NEAFA in holding Dairy Transportation Summits to continue discussions on areas like workforce development, insurance, and varied state regulations.
Building relationships
It is always impactful when we are able to get legislators and regulators on farms and talking with farmers. In addition to the farm tours and events already mentioned, NEDPA hosted Assemblymember Donna Lupardo, who chairs the Assembly Agriculture Committee, and Assemblymember Pamela Hunter at New Hope View Farm this summer. Ag and Markets Commissioner Ball and his team and Kevin King and Lindsey McMahon from the Governor’s office have joined us for farm visits. We participated in Assemblymember Chris Tague’s farm tour in the Cooperstown area where 15 legislators and numerous staff members visited farms and agribusinesses.
The agriculture industry has found strength in the power of collaboration with industry partners and outreach to our leaders in state agencies and government. Proactive communication and strategic discussions of the dairy industry’s needs will help ensure that we are working towards common goals on behalf of New York’s family dairy farms and agribusinesses.
Business and Industry partners can support the unified voice of dairy by joining NEDPA through the Affiliate and Associate levels, along with encouraging your customers to join as producer members. Your support will allow us to continue to have a seat at the table with state agencies and policy makers on issues impacting the dairy industry.
To join or if you have questions on membership, reach out to Alyssa Kealy, Vice President of Communications and Member Services, at Alyssa@NEDPA.org. Any members with questions on legislation can reach out to Allyson Jones-Brimmer, Vice President of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, at Allyson@NEDPA.org. The NEDPA team can also be reached at 585-447-0034.