Overview

The Division is responsible for administration of the New York State Dairy Promotion Order (NYSDPO), issued by the Commissioner and approved by the state's milk producers. The Order was established to promote the consumption of New York milk and dairy products.

Milk producers pay 15 cents per hundredweight of milk produced for dairy promotion. The New York State Dairy Promotion Order (our office) retains 10 cents and the remaining 5 cents is used for national program activities (paid to National Dairy Promotion and Research Board at 10255 West Higgins Road, Suite 900, Rosemont, II. 60118-5616). Monthly assessments collected are used for contractual milk promotion activities, administrative costs, and research.

Board

The Dairy Promotion Advisory Board consists of ten New York milk producers appointed by the Commissioner who serve a three-year term. The first New York State Dairy Promotion Advisory Board was appointed in May 1972 at the request of dairy producers. The board advises the Commissioner on the disposition of approximately $16 million a year in funds collected from milk producers under the producer-approved NYSDPO. It also makes recommendations on promotion and nutrition education programs and various dairy product and research projects.

Members

The following are the members of the Nineteenth Dairy Promotion Advisory Board, serving from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2029.

  • Larry Bailey of Fort Ann, endorsed by Dairy Farmers of America
  • Julie Patterson of Auburn, an at-large member
  • Roberta Wolf of Lyons, endorsed by Rochester Cooperative Milk Producers’ Bargaining Agency, Inc.
  • Jason Kehl of Strykersville, an at-large member
  • Judi Whittaker of Whitney Point, endorsed by NY Farm Bureau
  • Dean Handy of St. Johnsville, endorsed by New York State Grange
  • Alicia Lamb of Oakfield, an at-large member
  • Eric Ooms of Old Chatham, endorsed by Agri-Mark and new to the board*
  • Jack Klapper of Linwood, an at-large member and new to the board*
  • Magdalene Gerst of Eden, an at-large member and new to the Board*

All board members were appointed in 2026 for a three-year term. All members’ terms expire in 2029. No members of this board receive a salary, however, may be eligible for reimbursement of their actual and reasonable travel expenses.

Request for Applications

The Dairy Promotion Order (DPO) Advisory Board has issued a Request for Applications for dairy and research promotion projects, as part of its more than $16 million checkoff fund. The invitation solicits proposals for projects that market, promote, and research New York-produced fluid milk and dairy products with the goal of expanding the types of dairy products available and increasing consumer demand for and consumption of New York dairy products.

Eligible applicants include non-profit entities, research institutions, and private businesses that are not affiliated with the DPO Advisory Board. Project applications may not promote a specific brand or trade name.

To be considered for funding, applications should be submitted to the Department on or before August 15, 2025.  

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Dairy Promotion Order Advisory Board will be held on June 16, 2026. The agenda is available below.

Past Meeting Materials

The most recent meeting of the Dairy Promotion Order Board took place on March 11 and 12, 2026. Materials from the meeting are posted below. Recordings of the meetings will be posted here soon.

Recording of the March 11 meeting.

Recording of the March 12 meeting.

Materials from the September 2025 and July 2025 meetings are also available below.

For minutes and additional information about these or other previous meetings, please contact the Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services.

Contact the Dairy Promotion Order Board

We have created an email address to help dairy producers in New York quickly and effectively provide feedback to the Dairy Promotion Order Board about the New York State “check-off” program. If you are a dairy producer and have any questions or concerns regarding the New York State promotion order “check-off” program, please email [email protected]. 

All questions and concerns will be shared with the Board and their response will be shared with the requestor.