“Pennsylvania’s dairy industry is in a tremendous state of change right now, and the meetings will provide the opportunity for industry professionals to gain more insight into market factors influencing that change,” said Jayne Sebright, executive director of the Center for Dairy Excellence. “We also want to hear from, and have a conversation with, those who work in the dairy industry on the resources needed to support dairy farms across the commonwealth.”

Field representatives, nutrition consultants, lending agents and all industry representatives are invited to prepare topics which they would like to discuss, from business planning to dairy policy. Center staff members will be joined by representatives from American Dairy Association North East (ADANE) and agents with the Penn State Extension Dairy Team, who will speak to current trends and topics in Pennsylvania’s dairy industry.

Meetings will be hosted on the following dates:

· May 12 at 8:00 a.m., Dutchway, 649 E Lincoln Avenue, Myerstown, PA.

· May 16 at 8:00 a.m., Country Cupboard, 101 Hafer Road, Lewisburg, PA

· May 16 at 1 p.m., Riverstone Inn, 47 Leisure Drive, Towanda, PA

· May 19 at 8:00 a.m., Bird’s Nest Cafe, 113 S Richard St., Bedford, PA

· May 19 at 1 p.m., Hoss’s Steak and Sea House, 1948 Leesburg Grove City Road, PA

Pre-registration is requested by Monday, May 8. Meals are provided for up to three participants per location from each dairy farm, group or business courtesy of the Center for Dairy Excellence. To register, call 717-346-0849 or visit the “Programs and Events” tab on centerfordairyexcellence.org.

The Center for Dairy Excellence is a non-profit organization initiated by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in 2004. Bringing together people from more than 40 different dairy organizations in Pennsylvania, the center’s mission is to enhance the profitability of the dairy industry by empowering people, creating partnerships, and increasing the availability and use of resources. Learn more at centerfordairyexcellence.org.