PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS
To be presented at the annual delegate meeting
April 15–16, 2025
Kansas City, Mo.
Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center
Mission Statement of Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.
Deliver value to our farm family-owners as a leading global dairy cooperative. 2023
Purpose
This book contains the resolutions adopted by the Delegate body of Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (“DFA”). These resolutions are an important part of the Cooperative’s governance process, and are intended to provide grassroots guidance and input from its membership to DFA’s Board of Directors, Area Councils and management on policy positions and other issues affecting DFA. However, these resolutions are not intended to be, and are not, the binding legal rules governing DFA. Rather, DFA’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are the binding legal rules governing DFA, and serve as the basis for DFA’s authority and obligations.
2025 Resolutions Committee Members
Jerrel Heatwole, Corporate Resolutions Committee Chairman, Greenwood, DE
*Denotes Corporate Resolutions Committee Representatives
Central Mountain
Mark Anderson Porterfield, WI
Danny Brick Greenleaf, WI
Ted Bruemmer Jefferson City, MO
Dustin Brunn Horicon, WI
Donny Chapman Perkins, OK
* Tim Colbenson Elmwood, WI
Tim Erickson Viroqua, WI
David Fordyce Aurelia, IA
* Mike Fincham Marysville, KS
Lynda Foster Fort Scott, KS
* Paul Heins Higginsville, MO
* Tina Hinchley Cambridge, WI
John Hoefler New Vienna, IA
* Orville Miller Hutchinson, KS
Brian Riegel Washington, MO
Curt Rohweder Wishek, ND
Josh Sauter Cannon Falls, MN
Larry Schuster Pickrell, NE
* Casey Schlauderaff Detroit Lakes, MN
* Liza Schllintz Bangor, WI
Tony Schwalbe Avon, MN
Mark Vossekuil Brandon, WI
Mideast
James Book Borden, IN
* Kathy Davis Perrysville, OH
* Louie Diamond Masontown, PA
Matthew Gray Bad Axe, MI
* Timothy Haynes Auburn, IN
Garry Kibler, Jr. Warren, OH
Tim Roell Camden, OH Northeast
* Eric Steenstra Coopersville, MI
* Luke Steiner Marshallville, OH
Nathaniel Weaver Crab Orchard, KY
* Kevin Weber Leslie, MI
* Lesley Workman Laings, OH
Lillian Andersen Livingston, MT
Devin Boehme Geneva, ID
Arend Bos Keenesburg, CO
Josh Cleland Erie, CO
Adrian Diepersloot Severance, CO
* Ashley Edstrom Kersey, CO
Neal Gardner Delta, UT
David Gerratt Declo, ID
Chet Hansen Duchesne, UT
Jerod Henrickson Platteville, CO
Luke Hofer Choteau, MT
* John Johnson Greeley, CO
Tony Ketterling Mountain Home, ID
Sam Kogianes Fairview, UT
Dennis Koolstra Cope, CO
Kim Korn Terreton, ID
Jeremiah Lungwitz Yuma, CO
Hilary Marrs Ault, CO
Steve Martini Ogden, UT
* Will McIntosh Thornton, CO
Cameron Munk Benson, UT
Blaine Nicks Eaton, CO
Jayleen Offinga La Salle, CO
Kyle Parriera Ft.Morgan, CO
* Kurt Peschel La Salle, CO
Wybrand Vander Dussen La Salle, CO
* Hendrik Van Es Marsing, ID
* Trevor Wayment Ogden, UT
Scott Yost Burley, ID
* Larry Bailey Fort Ann, NY
Jonah Barley Conestoga, PA
* Skyler Barney Adams, NY
* Rodney Brown Clifton Springs, NY
* Larry Burgin Delhi, NY
Eric Clifford Starksboro, VT
Jennifer Collins Waterville, NY
* Kevin Dibble Smethport, PA
Matt Fullerton Argyle, NY
* Jennifer Heltzel Martinsburg, PA
* Jon Hermonot Woodstock, CT
Douglas Jackson Clymer, NY
Jason Johnson Sinclairville, NY
* Joshua Kline Lebanon, PA
Lolly Lesher Bernville, PA
Larry Lightfoote Stanley, NY
Sheila Marshman Oxford, NY
* Heath Miller Newburg, ME
* Jodi Pheasant Martinsburg, PA
Mike Phelps Caledonia, NY
Tyler Rohrer Washington Boro, PA
Lawrence Rowley Milton, VT
Mark Schmidt Sherburne, NY
* Joe Stone Canastota, NY
Roy Thomas Troy, PA
Greg White Clymer, NY
David Ziegler Myerstown, PA
2025 Resolutions Committee Members
Jerrel Heatwole, Corporate Resolutions Committee Chairman, Greenwood, DE
*Denotes Corporate Resolutions Committee Representatives
Southeast Southwest
* Deborah Boyd Parrottsville, TN
Chad Craun Philadelphia, TN
* Kevin Craun Bridgewater, VA
Tim Crawley Gravette, AR
* Stacy Dohle Halfway, MO
Eldon Eberly Waynesboro, GA
Bill Haak Gentry, AR
Norman Jordan Siler City, NC
* Sam Koester Evansville, IN
Megan Komar Glasgow, KY
* Tim Liskey Harrisonburg, VA
Shane Middleton Mobile, AL
* Kaleb Rodgers Vanzant, MO
Harry Schaapman Abbeville, GA
Philip Watts Lee, FL
Colton Armstrong Lovington, NM
Greg Bethard Plains, KS
Rinske Bolaina Lovington, NM
Will Collier Snyder, TX
Jered Cooper Clovis, NM
Travis DeGroot Satanta, KS
* Jasper DeVos Plainview, TX
Laura Green Syracuse, KS
* James Hancock Muleshoe, TX
Rocio Huereque Ft. Hancock, TX
Chris Koetter Windthorst, TX
* Billy Lasater Hamilton, TX
* Don McCarty Sunset, TX
Braden Mikeska Amherst, TX
Javier Saenz Las Cruces, NM
* Art Schaap Clovis, NM
Western Austin Schaap Clovis, NM
* Neil Brouwer Tracy, CA
Carlos Carrillo Hanford, CA
* Paul Danbom Turlock, CA
Brett Haringa San Jacinto, CA
* Alan Perazzo Fallon, NV
* Rocky Pinheiro Glenn, CA
* Nathan Tjaarda Shafter, CA
Ron Schaap Clovis, NM
Bill Squire Hagerman, NM
Billy Strona Itasca, TX
* Bart Van Ruiten Iredell, TX
Andle Vanderploeg Clovis, NM
Luke Woelber Belen, NM
RESOLUTIONS
• Utilizing appropriate price discovery to better capture the value of milk;
• Implementing price formulas that improve transparency, recognize the changing costs of
producing milk, and appropriately capture the costs associated with servicing markets;
• Regional modifications to FMMO’s as advocated by the Area Councils to address local
issues when necessary; and
• Improving prices to producers. (2022)
supports legislation and regulatory action ensuring individual
farm information requested, collected, or possessed by any government or regulatory agencies is
DFA supports state and federal governments evaluating the potential
impacts to agriculture prior to advancing or implementing any policy, rule, guidance, or
farm ownership,
family
ensure that the family farm remains the basic unit of American agriculture,
and
DFA supports incentives for producers that sustainably utilize
on their operation state and federal legislation that provides
incentives to, and consideration for, farmers that utilize agricultural and food byproducts on their
operation. (2018)
opposes the sale, trade, or transfer of unpasteurized fluid milk to
or other hunger relief organizations. (2017)
DFA supports research into alternative uses for milk, such as pest
etc. (2019)
DFA supports changing how the Farm Service Agency (FSA)
addresses the needs of the dairy industry in the USDA drought program. (2023)
DFA supports the use of bloc voting by cooperatives when authorized
efforts to protect the nation’s food supply from all
forms
state and national legislative efforts to establish a trust
or priority claim on assets of purchasers of milk, or require all buyers of milk to give security in
a manner similar to provisions in the Packers and Stockyards Act, to help ensure full, prompt
payment for
purchased from dairy farmers or their cooperatives. (2021)
all buyers subject to the Packers and
for compliance, with violators being subject to enforcement
the
supports legislation that would require all entities not subject to
and Stockyards Act to treat the selling of livestock as delivery of goods, not an
extension of credit. (2024)
as real meat and
DFA supports enforcement of the current standards of identity for all
products. (2022)
the sale of lab-grown meat and dairy products marketed
A RESOLUTION: DFA supports uniform, clear, and visible labeling of food products to
differentiate between imitation and natural or real food products and urges regulating agencies to
adhere to and enforce “standard of identity” rules for dairy and beef products. (2018)
B RESOLUTION: DFA supports the DAIRY PRIDE Act (Defending Against Imitations
and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday
Act) and urges its passage by Congress. (2021)
C
DFA supports allowing milk labels to include the percentage of the
non-fat in the product similar to other food labels (e.g., 1% = 99% fat free). (2019)
D RESOLUTION: DFA opposes any product labeling which restricts a producer’s right to
choose approved technologies and practices. Consumer product label claims must be truthful, not
misleading, and not imply a difference in safety or quality over competing milk products. Claims
should be based on scientific research. Efforts to educate the public about the advantages of
technology should be made. (2023)
DFA supports research and grants providing for the development of
energy and fertilizer options maximizing the use of manure and other byproducts.
and alternative
on our farms.
the continued exploration of oil and gas and
development and use of all domestic traditional and renewable energy sources to ensure an
adequate supply at affordable prices for the nation’s food producers. (2019)
supports the prioritizing of utility use in the event of a shortage,
recognizing the special needs of farmers and their animals in producing and processing
or regulatory action which creates
state and federal
allowing for net metering,
produced on the farm to be transferred to the grid, to offset the cost of
DFA supports the establishment of regulations requiring electric utility
companies to correct and prevent occurrences of stray voltage. DFA encourages farmer-owners
to have their barns checked for stray voltage. (2019)
DFA supports determining the quantity of stray voltage on a
producer’s facility by using the value of 125 ohms instead of 500 ohms. (2022)
• A
in the
allowing immigrants currently employed, or with recent employment history
States, to earn the right to work legally;
protect employers who unknowingly hire falsely documented workers;
• A provision specifying the responsibility for ultimate verification of the legal status of a
worker lies with the government, not the employers; and
• A provision that notifies employers promptly of any violations and what specific curative
matters need attention and correction. (2021)
and state
laws that recognize the unique
DFA opposes any regulatory or legislative attempt to prohibit or
restrict youth from gaining employment/educational opportunities and other valuable
experiences on
(2024)
and Lunch Program,
a fully funded, federally supported, School Breakfast
Milk Program, and other child nutrition programs for all school
children. All schools with federally supported milk programs should be required to offer a
variety of dairy products including whole milk, lactose-free milk, and a choice of 2 percent, 1
percent, skim
SUNSET
and cheese and yogurt products in a variety of flavors and containers. (2016)
supports the
industry, promotion groups, and the federal
government working together to identify opportunities to deliver milk into the school milk
program in
DFA supports allowing guideline flexibility to schools utilizing the
National School Breakfast and Lunch feeding programs, with respect to weekly ranges for meal
patterns, to assure compliance while maintaining student acceptability. (2016)
increasing the serving size of milk for the school lunch
DFA supports the purchase of domestically produced milk and dairy
products by federal and state governments to be used in federal/state feeding and nutrition
programs, school feeding programs, the needs of our Armed Forces, and for other
domestic/global humanitarian purposes. (2021)
DFA supports proper cooling and handling of all milk products served
through school meal programs. (2019)
DFA supports any and all efforts to bring current and science-backed
research to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee to gain support for 2%
and whole milk choices to be put back in schools under the USDA National School Breakfast
and Lunch Programs. Higher-fat dairy product consumption has been demonstrated to provide
health benefits. (2023)
and eligibility requirements
which provide the flexibility needed to address the increasing number of Americans participating
in
DFA supports should pursue legislation that allows for greater
variation implementing the mandatory purchase of dairy products that may be purchased
through with some portion of
and state food nutrition and assistance programs. (2016)
require
supports strong enforcement of state and federal regulations that
and retailers that sell dairy products. (2018)
DFA supports the government distribution of shelf-stable dairy
products in areas of national and international disasters. (2023)
an
improper
or
or
that would make it a felony
care on an animal operation, to defame the
including the use of artificial
B
DFA supports a ban on importing animals, semen, embryos, or other
animal derived materials from regions of the world, which are not free of animal diseases and
may cause the transfer of agents that are pathogenic to animals and/or humans. (2022)
and surveillance
and implementing appropriate response
for government and industry in the event of an animal disease
developing improved methods for detecting animal
and state animal
DFA supports the development by USDA of a bulk tank milk test for
Foot and Mouth (FMD) disease that could be deployed for daily use in the event of an FMD
outbreak.
C RESOLUTION: DFA supports one centrally managed national database, which
facilitates ready access to essential tracking data by all state and federal animal health
authorities, on a real-time basis, while safeguarding producer confidentiality. (2022)
and policies that differentiate between
antimicrobial drugs that are important for therapeutic use in humans and antimicrobial drugs
used solely in food producing animals for growth promotion or feed efficiency. (2022)
risk-based approaches for residue-testing in
and
or local legislative or regulatory initiatives
A RESOLUTION: DFA
the use of cooling ponds when operating in a sanitary
manner, which does not impair milk quality and encourages regulatory agencies to use sound
scientific data in developing guidelines to allow their continued use. (2022)
DFA supports state governments in their efforts to ensure adequate
disposal facilities for non-ambulatory and dead animals. (2022)
accounts (capital
opposes any efforts or actions to characterize member capital
and allocated capital) as securities of any nature, as well as any efforts
or actions that would subject member capital accounts to any state or federal securities laws or
regulations. (2024)
DFA opposes the use of tax dollars and/or incentives to help finance
or abroad. (2022)
B RESOLUTION: DFA supports efforts to terminate the 7-year limit on borrowers’
ability to obtain annual operating loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). (2023)
DFA supports that any federal, state, or local environmental regulation
be science-based and economically feasible. (2022)
DFA supports financial and technical support to meet federal, state,
and local environmental regulations. (2022)
DFA supports exempting livestock manure from the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Emergency Planning
and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA). (2022)
RESOLUTION: DFA supports a clear definition of Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) under
the Clean Water Act (CWA) as well as limiting the application of the CWA to point sources as
Congress intended. (2022)
DFA opposes the federal government regulating farms with fewer than
1,000
organisms. (2023)
units. (2022)
DFA opposes legislation that bans the use of genetically modified
G RESOLUTION: DFA supports tax credits for soil conservation and/or nutrient
management expenditures and other environmental management compliance costs. (2022)
A RESOLUTION: U.S. dairy farmers have proven to be exemplary stewards of the land,
producing more nutritious milk for the world with fewer cows and using less water and less land
than at any time in history. To aid DFA farmer-owners as they continue improving their
productivity and environmental footprint, DFA supports:
• Sustainability efforts/projects/initiatives that prioritize returning value back to the
farm.
• Efforts to inform DFA customers and consumers about the generations of positive
on-farm stewardship efforts and gains.
• Education efforts to customers, consumers, and policy makers to ensure the best
available science is used to depict the U.S. dairy industry’s environmental impact
while contributing to sustainable food production.
• Communications that provide farmer-owners the information they need to
understand opportunities and challenges in technology use, emerging carbon
markets, and other sustainability topics.
• Engagement in domestic and international policy discussions to improve the
accounting methodology and drive meaningful investment in dairy communities.
• Efforts to build the financial, regulatory, and services structure needed to support
DFA farmer-owners in sustainability opportunities and activities.
• Cooperative efforts to optimize efficiency and reduce waste, water, and energy
used through DFA’s logistics and manufacturing operations.
• A continued focus on delivering wholesome nutrition to a growing global
population, while appropriately balancing environmental interests. (2024)
public policy that provides financial and technical
D RESOLUTION: DFA supports increased funding to provide the research, education,
and the technical assistance necessary to help dairy producers develop effective cost-efficient
management, and air emissions mitigation plans. (2022)
DFA supports alternatives to swampbuster requirements and/or
A RESOLUTION: DFA opposes river management plans, natural streams acts, or any
other plans or acts that would take control of rivers, streams, and adjoining property from the
landowner without
compensation. (2021)
A RESOLUTION: DFA supports that fair market value be paid to landowners for any
land removed from production as a result of any government restriction. (2022)
B
legislation that prohibits the use of eminent domain for
C RESOLUTION: DFA supports land taken by eminent domain (ex. railroad right-of-
way) be returned to the current legitimate landowner when previous use has been discontinued.
that would prevent landowners from losing
Farm” concepts to
regulations. (2022)
and state legislation which includes “Right-to-
farmers who are operating in compliance with all applicable
DFA supports state and federal assistance in controlling farm
nuisances, including, but not limited to, invasive species, starlings, feral hogs, and fire ants.
the Section 199A(g)
cooperative,
efforts to extend Section 199A and to make
through deduction available to all farmer-owners of a qualifying
their business structure. (2023)
or
or a value-added
any legislative or regulatory action which would
adversely affect cooperatives’ deductions for patronage allocations in the handling of losses.
A RESOLUTION: DFA supports the exemption of “personal property” from taxation,
including household items, livestock, farm machinery, and equipment. (2022)
DFA supports that farm and forest land used for production of food
and feed crops for
and other livestock and forest products be assessed according to its use
as agriculture land, not its potential value for development. (2022)
DFA supports an exemption from all sales tax on farm use items and
A RESOLUTION: DFA supports, for the purpose of calculating capital gains tax,
adjusting the “basis” value of farm property by the rate of inflation. (2022)
the further reduction and/or the elimination of tax on
A
DFA supports raising the Form 1099-MISC reporting exemption level
to a minimum of $5,000 from its current level of $600. DFA supports consistent reporting
requirements be established regardless of the recipient’s business structure. (2016)
B
DFA supports that states adopt the same rules as allowed by the
(IRS) for Section 179 property. (2024)
DFA supports that all U.S. import restrictions on dairy be maintained
until fair trade agreements are negotiated and enforced equitably for all countries. (2016)
DFA supports requiring all dairy, beef, and grain imports meet the
same quality and safety standards required of domestically produced products. USDA should
commit significantly
resources to the inspection of imported agricultural products. (2019)
opposes the importation of Grade A milk and other dairy
products except from those countries that provide the U.S. with reciprocal access. (2018)
advised of the increased costs associated with such imports,
and
DFA opposes imports into the United States of dietary supplements,
feed or food products, animals, or animal products or byproducts from countries where known
infestations of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Rinderpest, Anthrax, Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy (BSE), or other diseases exist unless such products are tested with methods
based on scientific research screened with proven methods. (2023)
any imported dairy
DFA opposes geographic indications (GIs) that restrict the use of
commonly used product names domestically or internationally and urges the Administration to
take action to affirmatively protect the use of these common names both domestically and in key
DFA encourages the Board of Directors and Area Councils to maintain
and periodically review mechanisms that enable a member to address the Board or Council with
an idea, grievance, or concern about the workings of the Cooperative. (2023)
The DFA Board of Directors should continue to review the DFA
structure to better serve the membership and total operations of the Cooperative. DFA should
maximize producer
short and long-term stability. (2023)
DFA farmer-owners encourage the practice of invocations before
DFA should continue to maintain, strengthen, and increase
be effectively and efficiently marketed to the advantage
RESOLUTION: DFA supports that when evaluating prospective new or returning
members, Councils should only seek dairy producers who produce high quality milk and
represent the
of the Cooperative. (2024)
DFA supports that all DFA farmer-owner information (lab results,
milk checks, etc.) will be held confidential except as required by law or otherwise authorized by
the farmer-owner. (2024)
DFA encourages appropriate periodic reevaluation of election
procedures in each Area, by Area Councils, taking into consideration changing farmer-owner
dynamics, demographics, and geography, among other relevant factors, to ensure that DFA’s
grassroots governance system continues to be robust and strong. (2023)
A
DFA will place a top priority on communications activities, giving
emphasis on a more timely basis to counter misleading information as part of an overall program
spanning both paper and
avenues of news and information. (2016)
DFA supports timely and informative communications by Areas to
farmer-owners about actions taken by Area Councils and/or Area Management (i.e., milk check
deductions,
or
(2016)
immediately notify and confirm with farmer-owners all
DFA supports the continued implementation of programs designed to
improve the relationship of dairy farmers with the news media and consumers and to build a
positive image of agriculture and its importance to the U.S. economy. DFA should promote and
expand its Gold Standard Dairy Program, which includes the Farmers Assuring Responsible
Management (FARM) Program and third-party verification. DFA should use this as a tool to
educate both dairy processors and the public that all milk produced by DFA farmer-owners is
safe and wholesome and that its farmer-owners are concerned about and provide care for their
animals, their workforce, their communities, and the environment. (2024)
B
DFA must be proactive in providing useful information, advice, and
technical support to assist dairy farmers as they positively portray the role of dairy farm families
who provide fresh, wholesome, nutritious, and delicious milk and dairy products for consumers
to enjoy. This can be accomplished by enhancing educational information available to the public
through various means of communication regarding:
• How dairy products are sustainably produced;
• How dairy farmers manage their farms in environmentally friendly ways to produce high
quality milk for consumers while providing a safe work environment and earning a living
for their family members and employees;
• How dairy farmers provide a safe work environment and earn a living for their
family members and employees;
• How dairy farmers make Ssignificant financial contributions the dairy industry makes
to local, state, national, and global economiescs; and
• How dairy farmers provide proper care for the well-being of their animals. (2021)
C RESOLUTION: DFA supports efforts by the DFA Cares Foundation to fund
scholarships, provide relief to those impacted by weather related and other disasters, and to
support the nation’s veterans and food insecure. Contributions from farmer-owners and staff are
encouraged as are efforts to pursue other avenues of generating funds. (2024)
D RESOLUTION: DFA encourages its farmer-owners and staff to recognize the service,
sacrifice, and needs of our veterans, active service members, and their families. (2021)
organizations,
invited and
involved in other local, state,
management to attend other organization meetings when
invite other management and farmer-owners to our meetings in order to promote
C RESOLUTION: DFA encourages all eligible DFA farmer-owners and employees to
participate in the Dairy Farmers of America Political Action Committee (DFA-PAC). DFA may
reactivate state
committees and may establish other state political action
committees. All state political action committees would be funded by farmer-owners of those
states. DFA-PAC will communicate to all eligible non-participating DFA farmer-owners a way
to
secure
and policy forming boards. DFA will work to
farmer representation on these boards. (2019)
• Any program shall be developed, controlled, and managed at the Area Council level;
• A base should be established for each farm/member;
• Historical production should determine the base;
•
and unusual/special circumstances should be considered; and
• DFA does not recognize or warrant that there is or will be any property right or
B RESOLUTION: DFA should work with retailers and processors to develop and supply
niche markets, where available. Any premiums, hauling costs and other fees paid should come
directly from the processors and not from the producer pools. (2019)
C RESOLUTION: DFA supports should pursue partnerships, mergers, and/or joint
ventures with other dairy marketers to eliminate the duplication of processing facilities,
transportation, and other services and to pursue business relationships with other industry-related
businesses that would benefit farmer-owners. (2018)
D RESOLUTION: DFA supports Newtrient, LLC, which hopes to drive the innovation of
new technologies and creative regulatory and market structures to enable dairy farmers to
enhance on-farm profitability through energy generation, nutrient recovery, or other innovative
manure management practices. (2018)
E RESOLUTION: DFA should explore ways to ensure the top market price for dairy
beef. (2018)
F RESOLUTION: Whereas FDA says that milk comes from a lactating mammal, and
whereas labeling plant-based alternatives as such causes consumer confusion, therefore DFA
shall, in every instance it is able, have any non-dairy product produced and sold by its partners
that competes with a real dairy product reflect that fact by not labeling that product “milk” or any
other common name associated with a real dairy product. (2019)
DFA supports working with retailers to ensure dairy products are
properly stocked and well presented for consumer sale. (2024)
not commit its farmer-owners to farm
monitoring, or operating procedures beyond those required by the Cooperative. Farmer-owners
(2017)
upon arrival
encourages all state and federal inspectors to notify the owner
and follow all biosecurity protocols. (2023)
supports the dairy farmer-funded checkoff program to help
protect and build sales of and demand for U.S. dairy products and ingredients; and the efforts of
a consumer-centric
and addresses potential threats to sales. (2016)
D RESOLUTION: DFA supports the efforts of the checkoff-founded Innovation Center
for U.S. Dairy and its mission and purpose to bring the industry together to pre-competitively
address barriers to and identify opportunities to grow the U.S. dairy industry through producer
leaders and staff participation in operating committees, subcommittees, and various working
groups. (2019)
E RESOLUTION: DFA supports the use of its processing resources, coupled with
checkoff-led efforts, to revitalize fluid milk and help spur innovation that includes the creation of
new milk and milk-based products, marketing, package development, and distribution options.
(2017)
DFA supports the checkoff strategy of building sales by working with
and through the food and beverage industry, including DMI partnerships with national
foodservice companies to create and market dairy-friendly menu options. (2016)
G RESOLUTION: DFA supports the dairy farmer and processor checkoffs’ priority to
maintain and grow public trust in the U.S. dairy production system and dairy products by
actively engaging in industry-wide consumer confidence initiatives. This includes integrated
programs that:
• Share the story of how farmers provide the world with wholesome, high-quality milk and
dairy products in a manner that demonstrates their commitment to their community,
animal care, environmental stewardship, and sustainability.
• Promote the health and wellness benefits of milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy
products through strategic relationships with major health professional organizations,
such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Feeding America, the American Heart
Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, among others.
• Promote the importance of milk in the health and wellness of children through local and
national promotion programs. (2024)
the continued efforts of checkoff-funded nutrition and
product research to further demonstrate dairy’s nutrition and health benefits. This includes
DMI, delivering a united
opportunity
supports the Dairy Crisis Management Team, created by
industry message on issues that challenge or provide
ensure continued consumer confidence in the dairy market dairy crisis
response system currently in place, which was developed by DMI, in conjunction with their state
and
Association (IDFA). (2016)
relevant through various
methods, such as the use of influencers and product placement in movies, shows and video
games.
A RESOLUTION: To assist with promoting a positive image of DFA and the dairy
industry, DFA encourages milk haulers associated with the organization to maintain safe, clean,
and presentable milk hauling equipment, including the removal of all old Cooperative logos.
Upon sale of
removed. (2022)
promotion logos should be
DFA opposes the February 2023
by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
regarding use of the word “milk” on non-dairy beverages and supports efforts by DFA and the
dairy industry to secure enforcement of proper labeling of these non-dairy products. (2023)
DFA supports passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which requires schools to offer
whole milk to students through federal school meal programs. (2023)
In light of packaging shortages faced in 2022 and 2023, and DFA’s successful management of
the crisis, as well as challenges created by current federal standards, DFA should investigate all
opportunities to improve the Cooperative’s delivery of school milk including packaging (type
and availability),
(ESL), etc. (2024)
The DFA resolutions process is critically important to farmer-owner engagement and the
Cooperative. More effort should be made to educate farmers on the process and opportunity to
participate.
DFA commends its farmer-owners and staff in supporting and improving their communities
through volunteerism, product and monetary donations and other activities addressing food
