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
The group of dairy industry leaders who served on the original PA Dairy Task Force helped us see that the industry needed to become better organized and more focused if it was to regain its strength and achieve higher profit levels. Together, we have achieve much more than I thought was possible in moving Pennsylvania’s dairy industry forward.
I am very thankful for the dedication, time, energy and good advice that the Dairy Task Force has provided to me, the department and the Center for Dairy Excellence. I look forward to continuing our work towards a stronger dairy industry in Pennsylvania.
Dennis Wolff
PA Secretary of Agriculture
In 2003, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell and 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.
Participating Members
Center for Dairy Excellence is a 503C non-profit organization established by 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 2007 Annual Summary
For more information about the Dairy Task Force and Center for Dairy Excellence, click here (in PDF form).