FARM Farmer Advisory Council Nominations

The National Dairy FARM Program is seeking nominations for FARM’s Farmer Advisory Council.  The role of the council is to:

• Provide on-farm expertise to all FARM program standards and implementation.
• Join the Animal Care Task Force in developing proposed changes to FARM standards that the National Milk Producers Federation’s Animal Health & Well-being Committee have requested be reviewed during review cycle
• Provide guidance to staff regarding farm-level needs
• Provide feedback and recommendations for program updates, standards and manual content to FARM task forces and NMPF committees
• Serve as FARM program ambassadors to internal and external industry stakeholders

FARM is seeking nominations from all current FARM Program participants (cooperatives/processors) to be considered to serve in this capacity. Maximum of 2 nominations per participant. Nominations can be submitted as self-nominations or from those in support of specific nominees.

Expectations of FARM Farmer Advisory Council Members

1. Will to participate in the FARM Program standards development for one or more program areas (Animal Care, Environmental Stewardship, Workforce Development) and provide diversity in farm management style
2. Have the willingness to provide candid, insightful guidance and input for consideration to program staff working to develop additional program elements, resources and educational materials to aid in accomplishing the Program’s stated goals and objectives;
3. Willing to serve as ambassadors for the FARM Program within their cooperative/processor organization and local dairy community including ability to give presentations and answer questions about the FARM Program and its components;
4. Willingness to attend FARM Program events—including potential meetings with customers—and provide producer perspective on topics including animal care, environmental stewardship, antibiotics use and other emerging issues
5. Able to attend up to one in-person meetings and up to 12-24 additional conference calls per year
6. Able to serve a three-year term on the council
7. Has had a current FARM Animal Care Version 5.0 evaluation conducted and is in good standing with the program; as well as
8. Be willing to have a FARM Environmental Stewardship assessment conducted
9. Has a basic understanding of the FARM Program; and
10. Willingness to promote consensus positions and programmatic decisions

*Note: Cooperatives/processors will be responsible for travel and lodging costs and NMPF will cover all meals held during the course of the meetings of the Council