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HARRISBURG -- In October, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding convened the first meeting of the new Pennsylvania Dairy Development Committee. The creation of the work group comes on the heels of the single largest investment in agriculture in Pennsylvania history -- $1.2 billion to establish Chobani's first dairy operation in the Commonwealth, creating 900 jobs and increasing future demand for Pennsylvania milk by 30 percent.
The work group will serve in an advisory role, bringing expertise from a broad spectrum of sectors including the dairy supply chain, government, finance, and academia to recommend new strategies for increasing milk production and continuing to grow Pennsylvania's $11.8 billion dairy industry as it scales up to meet demand.
"We have work to do. Increasing demand for Pennsylvania milk by 30% will do more to increase prices paid to farmers for milk than any of the pricing reforms the industry has been seeking for over a decade," Redding said. "Looking at what our industry needs now, and down the road, then investing to support those needs and spur private investment is the right recipe for growth. This committee brings the right people and expertise to the conversation to help our industry grow, compete, and continue leading the nation."
Members include leadership from the Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture, Labor & Industry, Revenue, Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania's State Conservation Commission, and Pennsylvania Milk Board; House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees; Center for Dairy Excellence, Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania, Chobani, dairy coops and individual dairy producers; the farm lending and financial sector; Pennsylvania State University and University of Pennsylvania; and environmental engineering firms.