The audience at the 2008 PA Dairy Summit came away with a better understanding that dairy talks about issues with others in the industry and often not with people who can alter our future forever. Expanding your “circle of friends” starts with those nearest to you ... neighbors ...and grows like ripples in a pond so every relationship has the potential to influence your profitability in a positive way.

You’ve heard the old saying, “It's no use closing the barn door after the horse is gone.” Producers agree that dairy relationships need attention now to sustain the industry in the long-term. And... it’s a task for every producer and every industry supplier. This session will drill-down on specifics that can help.

During this session:

Laura England will share how the industry as a whole is changing the way it communicates after a year that saw outside influences have a major impact on dairy profits. She will make it personal for you by talking about the power of your connections within your local community. Joining her will be a dairy producer who is one of the growing number of farmers that are prepared with a plan for handling public relations as agriculture is becoming more prominent in the news.

Caroline Novak will follow-up with tips on dealing with local government officials. These are often folks you meet on street corners or see in church, but making sure they really understand our industry can prove critical when the chips are down.

Now is not the time to back-burner legislative issues until there is a call for action. Kristen Crawford will discuss how an open door policy with legislators results in informed legislation and avoids the kind of pitfalls recently experienced.

2008 ISSUE FORUM

Thursday, June 12, 2007 in Gettysburg, PA

Morning Program at Greenmount Fire Company Afternoon Tour of Mason Dixon Farms

Create A New Profit Center by Expanding Your Circle of Friends

Preliminary Schedule