Ohio dairy group in new partnership

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Dairy Producers, the member-supported legislative and research organization for Ohio’s dairy industry, is now in partnership with the state’s dairy promotion program.
To serve Ohio’s dairy farmers more efficiently, the Ohio Dairy Producers board of directors recently voted to enter into an administrative and operations agreement with the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council Mid East, effective Nov. 1, 2005 to share staff and facilities.
For the past five years Ohio Dairy Producers contracted with Ohio State University for staff services.
Plans. In 2002, Ohio Dairy Producers was formed as a result of a vision from an Ohio dairy industry strategic plan, bringing together the efforts of two dairy industry organizations, the Progressive Dairy Producers of Ohio and the Ohio Dairy Farmers Federation.
Legal limitations of the dairy promotion checkoff program prohibit staff from engaging in legislative and regulatory matters.
Tim Demland. Through this agreement, dairy farmers will now have the organizational structure, the separation of duties and an enhanced membership organization for noncheckoff functions to permit Tim Demland, Ohio Dairy Producers executive director, to represent Ohio’s dairy farmers in legislative, regulatory and environmental issues.
In addition to Demland’s duties, he will join the dairy association’s staff as an industry relations manager and assist with producer communications.