Governor Corbett Establishes Council to Strengthen Dairy Industry in PA

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today established a dairy leadership council that will help ensure that state government meets the needs of Pennsylvania's nearly $2 billion dairy industry.  

The Pennsylvania Dairy Leadership Council, chaired by Agriculture Secretary George Greig, will make recommendations to the governor on policies, procedures, regulations and legislation that may aid in the development of the dairy industry.

"Agriculture and related industries are among the leading economic drivers in our state," said Corbett. "This group of experts will work to strengthen the industry and ensure our farmers have the tools to keep their farms viable."  

The council will serve as a resource to all departments, commissions and agencies under the governor's jurisdiction to ensure that they are aware of the issues surrounding the dairy industry.

"Over the past few years, dairy producers have struggled to stay profitable, facing high input costs and low milk prices," said Greig. "The leaders on this council will help shape the direction of our dairy industry and help ensure the state is supporting its growth."

The council will be charged with identifying key variables and short- and long-term critical issues for the dairy industry in the following areas:

• Dairy farm business profitability;
• Environmental compliance for dairy operations;
• Dairy cattle welfare;
• Family and next generation dairy producer opportunities;
• U.S. Farm Bill and federal dairy policy; and
• Pennsylvania dairy policy and legislation.

The council, comprised of individuals representing all key dairy industry sectors, was created by executive order to coordinate the development and expansion of the dairy industry in Pennsylvania.

Media contact: Kelli Roberts, 717-783-1116

Editor's Note: Council members are as follows:

Agriculture Secretary George Greig  

Jeff Ainslee, Lancaster Co., Red Barn Consulting, Inc.

Rob Barley, Lancaster Co., Star Rock Dairy, Inc.

Marvin Beshore, York Co., attorney

Logan Bower, Perry Co., Pleasant View Farm

Ted Bowers, Lancaster Co., Fulton Bank

Lori Connelly, Dauphin Co., Land O'Lakes

Bill Curley, Luzerne Co., agricultural economist

Frank Day, Dauphin Co., The Hershey Company

Mike Evanish, Cumberland Co., MSC Services, PA Farm Bureau

Ed Gallagher, Onondaga Co., (N.Y.), DairyLea Cooperative

Dave Galligan, Chester Co., University of Pennsylvania

Louis Galliker, Somerset Co., Galliker Dairy Company

Glenn Gorrell, Bradford Co., Gorrell Dairy

Abe Harpster, Huntingdon Co., Evergreen Farm

Scott Kreider, Lancaster Co., S&A Kreider & Sons

Walt Moore, Chester Co., Waltmoore Holsteins, Inc.

Timothy Moury, Allegheny Co., All-Pak Inc., Qorpak Division

Alan Novak, Chester Co., Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania

Todd Rutter, York Co., Rutter's Dairy, Inc.

Bob Schupper, Dauphin Co., Ahold, USA (Giant Foods)

Paul Semmel, Lehigh Co., Excelsior Dairy Farm

Gary Smith, Chester Co., Chester County Economic Development Council

Chuck Turner, Westmoreland Co., Turner Dairy Farms, Inc., Titusville Dairy Products Co.

Chris Waddell, Crawford Co., Apple Shamrock Dairy Farms, LLC

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor