About Us
The North Carolina Dairy Producers Association (NCDPA) is a 501 © 5 non-profit corporation led by 15 dairy farmers and three ex-officio directors. NCDPA represents the interests of N.C. dairy farmers on important issues, including regulatory and legislative issues.
Whether your operation is small or large, conventional or organic, grazing or housed, each producer makes the management decisions that fits their dairy farm and personal philosophy best. That is the beauty of our dairy industry – the ability to be individuals in how we choose to farm.
There are times, however, when we need to set our individualism aside and work together to effect change in our state’s dairy industry. We must recognize the importance of acting with one voice at these times.
NCDPA gives dairy farmers
the platform to come together on key issues, including:
1. Building and maintaining strong relationships with state government leaders
2. Working with partners such as NCDA, Farm Bureau, Grange and dairy cooperatives
3. Allocating cull cow checkoff dollars to areas such as:
The NCDPA board members have set the direction for the Association for 2016 and beyond.
The three goals established for NCDPA are:
1. Establishing relationships with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and state legislators
2. Funding dairy research and educational opportunities
3. Opening lines of communication in the state’s dairy industry
NCDPA recognizes the importance of each dairy farmer in the state, which is why we strive to keep our industry viable and moving forward. As Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Let us come together as dairy farmers and keep the N.C. dairy industry strong!
NCDPA Accomplishments
NCDPA has worked successfully on N.C. legislation to assure an adequate supply of fresh, locally produced, reasonably priced milk for the public and a fair return for producers.
1. NCDPA is a leader on policy and governmental relations at the state and federal levels. NCDPA worked to develop more producer friendly federal milk marketing legislation, increased USDA support, and to defend dairy producer’s rights at both federal and state levels.
2. NCDPA played a leadership role in creating the N.C. Dairy Advantage program. Since this program began NC milk production has increased each year.
3. NCDPA has spoken out on behalf of NC dairy farmers for:
Join NCDPA
Anyone with interest in the future of NC’s dairy industry should consider NCDPA membership. Working together, we can ensure NCDPA represents dairy producers throughout the state, tackles important issues, identifies opportunities for growth, works to increase the profitability of our farms, and helps prepare our industry for future success.
There are two types of NCDPA memberships:
Producer Membership
FREE
For individuals directly engaged in milk production.
Associate Membership
$50 per year
For individuals or firms not directly engaged in milk production, but who have an active interest in the industry.
Board of Directors Officers
Directors are volunteers and work without any compensation.
President
Reid Smith
Treasurer
Doug Holland
Vice-President
Andrew Lail
Assistant Secretary
Chester Lowder
Secretary
Cameron Eaker
Assistant Treasurer
Geoff Benson
Andrew Lail
Corey Lutz
Coy Reese
David Coltrane
Jeff Cornwell
Cameron Eaker
Doug Holland
Matthew Johnson
Reid Smith
Roddy Purser
Dennis Leamon
Elliott Smith
Michael Lee
Norman Jordan Jr.
Vickie Smitherman
Daniel Chapman
Jeff Cornwell
Myles Payne
Shannon Davidson, NCSU
Steve Lathrop, NCDA&CS
Chester Lowder, NCFB