For Immediate Release: December 28, 2007                                                                         

Dairy Wellness Initiative Unveiled at Summit
Speakers share need for proactive approach to demonstrating stewardship

BELLEFONT, Pa. – Most dairy producers take pride in their commitment to taking good care of their animals and land. However, increasing consumer concern and public scrutiny over the welfare of food producing animals has made it imperative that all producers publicly demonstrate this commitment.

Speakers in the afternoon session of the 2008 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit will address this increasing concern and showcase a new initiative – the National Dairy Animal Wellness Coalition – designed to document producers’ animal care practices for concerned consumers. Chad Gregory from the National Egg Coalition will show why it is important that the dairy industry takes a proactive approach to communicating animal care practices to the non-farm public before public scrutiny dictates the way dairy farms operate.

The National Dairy Animal Wellness Coalition is one of several hot topics to be addressed at this year’s Dairy Summit, which will be held on Feb. 6 – 7 at the Lancaster Host Resort in Lancaster, Pa. The Summit will also showcase the new AFACT organization that is part of Voices for Choices. A panel discussion on the future of milk pricing in the U.S. and training on how to make every conversation count will also be part of this year’s event.

The Summit is hosted each year by the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Dairy Stakeholders as the premier dairy event in the state. Supporting partners include Penn State Dairy Alliance, the Center for Dairy Excellence and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Two nationally- respected dairy producers – John Vrieze from Emerald, Wis., and Jonathan Lamb from Clarkfield, N.Y. – have been invited to speak at the 2008 Summit. These producers will provide a virtual tour of their dairy operations and share their insights on the opportunities and challenges that exist in today’s dairy industry.

Motivational speakers at the Summit include Alan Hobson, Everest summiteer and cancer survivor, and Bruce Christopher, comedian/psychologist who has spoken to many Fortune 500 groups. Well known farm radio personality Orion Samuelson will give an agricultural and economic outlook from his perspective.

The full cost to attend the two-day Summit is $175 per person, with a $100 discount available for all producers and their employees. The $100 discount is being provided by a Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Grant through the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board and gives dairy producers the opportunity to attend the event for $75, a 60-percent savings off the full registration cost. Additional discounts are available for multiple members attending from the same agri-business, and full scholarships are available for students and young adults ages 17 - 25 interested in attending the event.

More details about the discounts and scholarship opportunities, as well as complete program details and a copy of the Summit registration brochure, are available online at www.padairysummit.org. You can also receive more information by calling the PDMP office at 877-326-5993 or by e-mailing info@padairysummit.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Georgene Thompson, 717-243-1349/ georgenethompson@comcast.net