The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has extended the deadline for nominations to the New York Dairy Promotion Order (DPO) Advisory Board. The new deadline is Friday, February 20, 2026. The board will serve a three-year term starting May 1, 2026.
The DPO Advisory Board provides guidance to the Commissioner in managing the Dairy Promotion Order and offers recommendations on marketing promotion, education, and research programs related to dairy products. According to department requirements, only individual milk producers in New York may be nominated for membership on the board. Nominations must be made by other individual producers; cooperatives and farm organizations are not permitted to submit nominations but may endorse those nominated.
Nomination forms should include details about the nominee such as name, address, cooperative or organizational affiliation, herd size, market information, involvement in farm organizations or programs, and experience with marketing activities. All completed nomination forms must be received by the department by February 20, 2026.
Forms and completed nominations can be sent to:
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services
Attn: Elizabeth Peila
10B Airline Drive
Albany, NY 12235
The DPO Advisory Board plays a role in advising on how more than $16 million collected from milk producers under the Dairy Promotion Order is distributed each year. The board meets regularly to review current program funding and recommend allocations for new initiatives in areas like dairy promotion, nutrition education and outreach programs, as well as dairy product research projects. The first advisory board was appointed in May 1972 at the request of dairy producers.
New York is home to about 3,000 dairy farms that produce over 16 billion pounds of milk annually. This makes it the fifth-largest dairy-producing state in the United States. The dairy industry represents nearly half of New York’s total agricultural receipts.
The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets oversees these efforts statewide https://agriculture.ny.gov, supporting farmers through various programs that foster sustainable practices and vibrant rural communities. It also works to ensure food safety while promoting agricultural development https://agriculture.ny.gov. Richard A. Ball serves as commissioner for this agency https://agriculture.ny.gov.
Through its initiatives—including protecting farmland and connecting producers with consumers—the department contributes significantly to advancing agriculture across New York https://agriculture.ny.gov.
