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
Vice-President
Andrew Lail
Secretary
Cameron Eaker
Treasurer
Doug Holland
Assistant Secretary
Chester Lowder
Assistant Treasurer
Geoff Benson
Board of Directors
Corey Lutz
Reid Smith
Cameron Eaker
Matthew Johnson
Bobby Allen
Andrew Lail
Jeff Cornwell
Coy Reese
Myles Payne
Daniel Chapman
Dennis Leamon
Chris Bowman
Michael Lee
Eliott Smith
Vickie Smitherman
Ex Officio Directors
Shannon Davidson (NCSU)
Steve Lathrop (NCDA&CS)
Chester Lowder (NCFB)
Advisory Committee
Dr. Geoff Benson
Dr. Shannon Davidson
Jim Howie
Jimmy Gentry
Elizabeth Moretz
Leigh Lane
Jerry Pless
Bob Shipley
Nancy Keith
Jim Byington
Jamie Cantrell
Larry Seamans
Clark Felder
Tom Ellis
Brent Buchanan
Marti Price
Brittany Whitmire
Norman Jordan