Posts for Category: People

IDFA’s NextGen Leadership Program is a year-long, multi-faceted program that supports mid- to senior-level dairy professionals in developing the skills and relationships needed to lead and advocate for the industry. Through a combination of leadership training, peer networking, and industry engagement, participants are prepared to meet today’s business challenges and shape the future of dairy. […]

WASHINGTON, April 16, 2025—A coalition of 30 agriculture and food organizations submitted a letter this week calling on congressional leaders to ensure support for U.S. membership in the World Trade Organization. The letter emphasizes the importance of global trade to the nation’s farmers and ranchers and the role of rules-based systems to further expansion of […]

March marks the start of Women’s History Month! Celebrated annually, it is a time to honor the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women throughout history. It highlights the progress made toward gender equality while recognizing the challenges that remain. Gender Equality in Dairy: Where We Are Today and Recommendations for Continued Growth In 2024, IDFA […]

Blue Bell Creameries of Brenham, Texas was recognized today with the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) 2025 Food Safety Leadership Award during IDFA’s Dairy Forum. The award, now in its ninth year, honors an individual, group or organization for demonstrating outstanding leadership directed at enhancing food safety within the dairy products industry.

By Becky Rasdall Vargas, IDFA Senior Vice President of Trade and Workforce Policy IDFA’s second-ever State of Women in Dairy Report provides IDFA members and the dairy industry with new data-based metrics and recommendations to support gender equality across the entire supply chain. But first, some background: IDFA’s first-ever State of Women in Dairy Report […]

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Penn.) and Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-Minn.) expressed support for the new Congress passing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act in 2025 during remarks this weekend at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Chairman Thompson is the lead sponsor of the bill, which Ranking Member Craig has cosponsored. The legislation would reinstate whole and 2% milk in federal school meals programs. Congressman Thompson is also a senior member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, which oversees child nutrition programs in the U.S. House of Representatives.

WASHINGTON, December 4, 2024— The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today recognized six distinguished individuals for their exceptional contributions to food, nutrition, agricultural policymaking and ongoing support of the dairy industry. During IDFA’s annual Celebration of Dairy, held at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes, D.V.M., presented the […]

PARIS, Oct. 18, 2024—The InternationalDairy Federation (IDF) today awarded the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) Women in Dairy network with the IDF Dairy Innovation Award for Innovation in Women Empowerment. The awards celebrate the global dairy sector’s commitment to innovation, showcasing forward-thinking initiatives that enhance efficiency and align with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals […]

Women’s Equality Day, celebrated every year on August 26th, marks the historic moment in 1920 when the 19th Amendment was certified, granting women the right to vote in the U.S. This holiday is a time to honor a pivotal step forward for women’s rights and reflect on the ongoing journey towards true gender equality in […]

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is seeking nominations for four top awards presented annually to leaders in the dairy industry. Nominations open today and will close on Friday, Oct. 25. Winners will be announced and recognized at Dairy Forum 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. Nominations are now open for the following awards: The IDFA Laureate Award, the Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award, the IDFA Food Safety Leadership Award, and the IDFA Workplace of the Year Award.