About the Center & Pa Dairy Task Force
"Pennsylvania's dairy industry is 5th largest in the nation, contributes 42% of the revenue from our entire ag industry and provides for 40,000 jobs. In March of 2003 I created the Center for Dairy Excellence and the Dairy Task Force, which has established a common voice for the Pennsylvania dairy industry--helping to re-energize our state's 8,500 dairy farmers, encouraging them to push for increased profits, more milk production, and a stronger ag economy. The impact of this Task Force and the good work they do will be felt for years to come. “ – Governor Edward G. Rendell
In 2003, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell and former Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff saw the commonwealth’s dairy industry slowly slipping away. Recognizing the value the industry provides in the form of good jobs and substantial local economic impact, they created the Pennsylvania Dairy Task Force and, at the recommendation of the task force, the Center for Dairy Excellence.
For more about how the Center for Dairy Excellence and Pennsylvania Dairy Task Force are supporting a vibrant dairy industry, click here.
The PA Dairy Task Force was created to identify and coordinate the leadership and resources necessary to ensure a competitive and profitable dairy industry in Pennsylvania. There are more than 110 participants today.
Center for Dairy Excellence is a 501(C)6 non-profit organization established by former Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff, at the recommendation of the Pennsylvania Dairy Task Force.
The non-profit’s charge is to provide leadership for Pennsylvania’s dairy industry, which contributes $4.2 billion annually to the state’s economy and creates more than 40,000 jobs for the Commonwealth. The center empowers the people, creates the partnerships and increases the availability and use of the resources needed to enhance dairy industry profitability.
Center Board of Directors and Staff
CDE 2009 Annual Summary
For more information about the Dairy Task Force and Center for Dairy Excellence, click here (in PDF form).