The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

Milk producers who are eligible and interested in running for a Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) director seat have until March 30, 2019, to submit a nomination form to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). To qualify, a nominee must be an active dairy producer who lives in a district up for election, and sells milk into commercial channels.

Eight districts up for election. They are:

DFW directors guide the organization’s finances, formulate and set its policies, develop long-range business plans and maintain its mission. DFW is an advocate, marketer and promoter for Wisconsin Dairy Farmers and helps drive demand for Wisconsin’s dairy products. Through these initiatives, a DFW director has the opportunity to represent Wisconsin dairy producers and products, as well as become involved in activities that inform and educate consumers about the dairy industry and its economic impact.

Potential candidates must submit a completed nomination form and have the “Affidavit of Eligibility” (on the nomination form) notarized. In addition, nominees must acquire at least five signatures from other active dairy producers who reside in the same election district.

After DATCP certifies the nominations, the department will announce the candidates and hold a mail-in ballot election May 1-24, 2019, with results announced at the end of May. Elected directors will serve a three-year term, July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2022.

Election information and the nomination form are available online at www.WisconsinDairy.org/elections or for a hard copy, contact Debbie Gegare, DATCP Market Orders Program Coordinator at (608) 224-5116.

DATCP administers elections for Wisconsin commodity marketing boards. To learn more about the market order boards, visit https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/About_Us/MarketingBoards.aspx