FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 18, 2006

STEPHENSON, ARNOT TO KICK OFF DAIRY SUMMIT
Opportunities, challenges await the future of the Northeast dairy industry

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Mark Stephenson, Ph.D., a dairy economist from Cornell University, and Charlie Arnot, founder of a new Web site, “Best Food Nation,” will kick off the 2007 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit with a “whole industry perspective” on the future of the Northeast dairy industry. The Summit will be held at the Lancaster Host Resort in Lancaster, Pa., on Feb. 7 – 8, with Stephenson’s and Arnot’s session beginning at 10 a.m. on Feb. 7.

Known for his insightful but realistic view of the opportunities and challenges that the Northeast dairy industry faces, Dr. Stephenson will open the program with a Northeast Dairy Outlook. Stephenson lists a strong fluid milk market base, moderately growing milk supply and a slightly higher milk price than in other U.S. dairy regions as the Northeast dairy industry’s strengths. During his presentation, he will share why he views the Northeast as an ideal place to produce and process milk and list some of the challenges that both producers and processors must meet to maintain a vibrant industry in the region.

Arnot will draw on a wealth of experience in communications for the pork industry to share insights on why the dairy industry must take proactive measures to define animal welfare issues before those issues define us. As the chair of the Animal Agriculture Alliance, Arnot works to protect animal agriculture’s image and interest in the midst of growing anti-animal agriculture activism.

Arnot created the Web site, “Best Food Nation,” to counter critics of the nation’s food system who are promoting their agendas using information that is inaccurate, misleading and incomplete. He will share why he believes that every person involved in animal agriculture must take a proactive approach to protect our industry’s image and reputation with consumers before it is too late.

Together, Arnot and Stephenson will provide a vision for a vibrant dairy industry in the Northeast, building on the opportunities and strengths that await us. They will kick off a strong program for this year’s Summit that also features Colorado dairy producer Gary Henrickson, Cowboy Comedian Baxter Black and Dairy Foods Communication’s Donna Berry, along with 24 breakout sessions that are focused on the day-to-day issues that every dairy producer faces. The program is hosted each year by the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Dairy Stakeholders. Supporting partners are the Center for Dairy Excellence, Penn State Dairy Alliance and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. More program information can be found at www.padairysummit.org.

The cost to attend the full Summit is $175 per person, with discounts for multiple participants from the same farm. Reduced rates to attend only one day of program or just the banquet are available. Scholarship opportunities to help youth and first-time producer participants offset the registration costs are also available through the Pennsylvania Dairy Stakeholders and the Center for Dairy Excellence.

More details about the discounts and scholarship opportunities and a copy of the Summit registration brochure are also available online at www.padairysummit.org. You can receive more information by calling the PDMP office at 814-238-2893.