Dairy producer committees gain communications support

Thursday, March 21, 2013

by SUSAN MANN

Dairy Farmers of Ontario is aiming to beef up communications with its 48 dairy producer  committees.

At the organization’s spring policy conference this week in Alliston delegates from the committees learned about plans to have a dedicated dairy producer committee liaison person to be the main link between the organization and its committees.

Graham Lloyd, general counsel and communications director for Dairy Farmers, says an existing staff person will be the liaison.

“I am introducing this as I think it’s an excellent opportunity for us to strengthen our relationship with producers,” he says.

The committees are the links with the dairy farmers in their county and each Ontario county has a committee. The number of licensed dairy farmers on each committee varies because each one has its own structure along with regulations and bylaws for how long members can serve, he says.

The liaison person will:

• Initiate a review and provide support for continuing education opportunities and services for committee members.
• Administer the committee special projects program.
• Maintain the committee intranet site.
• Act as the Dairy Farmers’ staff person responsible for executing the committee non-binding resolution process.
• Look for new ways to support committees and strengthen their relationship to Dairy Farmers.

Dairy Farmers asked committee delegates for their thoughts on what they see as the committees’ role, what they expect from the organization and what kind of information should the organization provide along with how it should be delivered.

Lloyd says committee delegates told Dairy Farmers they “welcome the opportunity” to have a liaison person. BF