Schedule of Events

SUNDAY, JUNE 4

4:00 – 5:00 PM

Registration Salon 3 Foyer

5:00 – 6:00 PM

MONDAY, JUNE 5

7:00 – 8:00 AM

Happy Hour

Santé at The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City

8:00 – 9:00 AM

Registration Salon 3 Foyer

Welcome Breakfast

Salon 2

With remarks from Lorilee Schultz, Milk-R-Mor FarmPrairie Farms Inc.

9:00 – 9:30 AM

Capitol Hill Crash Course

Salon 3

Chris Galen, NMPF

Dairy farmers’ interests have been represented by NMPF on Capitol Hill for over 100 years. In this session, you’ll learn about the organization’s scope of work, policy priorities, leadership, grassroots structure and the role of YCs in the organization’s membership.

9:30 – 10:00 AM

Farming and the Future: Why Political Engagement Matters

Salon 3

Mary Knigge, Dairy Farmers of America

Political participation helps local, state and federal governments understand what constituents want and allows people to make sure the government is fulfilling its role. This session will cover what dairy farmers’ role in the policymaking process is, what is expected from YCs during their time in D.C. (and beyond) and why it’s important that dairy farmers become – and stay –politically engaged.

Break

Dairy Issues Breakdown

Salon 3

Paul Bleiberg, Claudia Larson, Shawna Morris, NMPF

Join NMPF’s subject matter experts for a deep dive into the issues that you’ll be discussing with members of Congress and their staffs during your visit to Capitol Hill.

What to Expect on Capitol Hill

Salon 3

Tony Rice, NMPF

Before putting what you’ve learned into practice, learn the basics of what to expect when visiting Capitol Hill to ensure you have a successful visit. This session will cover the appropriate attire for meetings, getting to and from Capitol Hill, the suggested meeting format and next steps after your meeting.

Advocacy 101 Panel

Salon 3

Moderated by Alan Bjerga, NMPF; Panelists include Steve Etka, Midwest Dairy Coalition; Lindsay Reames, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association; and Dan Coyne, Northwest Dairy Association

Learn from policy experts about relationship building, what makes a successful, memorable meeting and tips for how dairy farmers can most effectively communicate about their issues. The panel will include a mock meeting to observe how the experts handle difficult questions and reinforce key messages.

Lunch

Salon 2

The Power of Storytelling for Advocacy

Salon 3

Gary Matteson, Farm Credit Council

Whether you’re talking to congressional offices, local media, community groups or a friend, stories help us

2:30 - 3:00 PM make connections and demonstrate our values. During this session, we’ll cover how to create and share your personal story to be a powerful advocate for dairy.

Mock Meetings

Salon 3

Meet the group you’ll be joining for your Hill visits and practice your storytelling and advocacy skills with NMPF staff during these mock meetings.

3:00 - 4:00 PM

Break

Co-op coordinators and Hill meeting chaperones to meet briefly between 3:00 - 3:30 PM in the Board Room

4:00 - 8:30 PM

Evening Tour, Drinks and Dinner

Downtown Washington, D.C.

TUESDAY, JUNE 6

8:00 – 9:00 AM

Breakfast

Salon 2

9:00 – 9:45 AM 9:45 - 10:30 AM

Fireside Chat with Rep. David Valadao

Salon 3

Moderated by Jim Mulhern, NMPF

During a facilitated Q&A session, Rep. David Valadao, R-CA, Congress’ only dairy farmer and a former Young Cooperator, will share what sparked his interest in politics, how he’s developed as a leader since first being elected to Congress in 2013, why it’s important that dairy farmers are politically engaged, and what he thinks dairy’s biggest challenges will be in the next few years and beyond.

Advocacy from Home: Opportunities for Continued Involvement

Salon 3

Paul Hansen and Chad Metzler, Land O’Lakes, Inc.

The fun doesn’t stop here. There are many ways dairy farmers can influence policy, at all levels of government, from the comfort of their own home. During

10:30 – 11:00 AM

11:00 – 11:30 AM this session we’ll learn how to stay informed and engaged on dairy policy issues after leaving Washington, D.C.

Break

Advocacy and Leadership Lessons

Salon 3

Randy Mooney, Mooney Dairy - Dairy Farmers of America

Missouri dairy farmer Randy Mooney will wrap up the forum on a personal note, sharing his leadership experience as chairman of NMPF for the last 15 years. Mooney will share how he got started, what inspired him to seek out leadership roles and how the skills he’s developed and experiences he’s had as chairman of NMPF and Dairy Farmers of America have enhanced his life.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM 12:30 - 5:30 PM 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Lunch Salon 2

Meetings with Members of Congress, Staff

Capitol Hill

Board of Directors Reception Ambassador

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7

7:00 – 8:30 AM

Congressional Breakfast Diplomat

8:30 AM – 12:00 PM 12:00 – 1:00 PM

NMPF Board of Directors Meeting Salon 3

NMPF Board of Directors Lunch Diplomat