NMPF's Impact at the World Dairy Summit

By Andi Anderson

The International Dairy Federation's (IDF) World Dairy Summit, hosted in Chicago, witnessed a strong presence of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. dairy industry. Notably, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack lauded NMPF's President and CEO, Jim Mulhern, for his exceptional leadership and long-standing service to the U.S. dairy community, spanning four decades.

This year's summit, the first in the United States in 30 years, was made possible, in part, by the efforts of NMPF, the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), and Dairy Management Inc. (DMI). Shawna Morris and Nick Gardner, leaders of NMPF and USDEC, co-chaired the event, focusing on the U.S. dairy industry's leadership in quality, sustainability, innovation, and more.

The event featured key NMPF figures, including Chief Science Officer Jamie Jonker, who chaired the IDF's Science and Program Coordination Committee. DMI's Diamond level sponsorship ensured the summit's success, with contributions from NMPF, USDEC, and DMI staff in planning and execution.

NMPF and its members played a significant role throughout the conference, with presentations by key figures such as Jaime Castaneda, Clay Detlefsen, and Karen Jordan. The summit also marked the World Dairy Summit's first-ever Young Farmer Roundtable, organized by NMPF's Senior Director of Communications and Outreach, Theresa Sweeney-Murphy. Young dairy farmers from around the world discussed shared and unique challenges faced by the next generation of farmers.

NMPF sponsored the U.S. reception and showcased award-winning dairy products from the United States, ensuring international visitors sampled the best of U.S. dairy. Farm tours, courtesy of NMPF members, offered insight into U.S. dairy operations, and NMPF's FARM team played a pivotal role in organizing and executing these tours.

The IDF's World Dairy Summit marked a significant moment for NMPF and the U.S. dairy industry. The event highlighted NMPF's leadership, commitment to sustainability, and contributions to the global dairy sector's mission to nourish people while supporting the planet and communities.

Photo Credit: national-dairy-month