We are a trade guild founded in 1984, and are guided by a 12-member Board of Directors made up of active or retired Maine dairy farmers representing a diverse range of dairy farm operations. Six directors are elected at-large to staggered 3-year terms by our membership at MDIA’s Annual Meeting in March. The other six are appointed by entities representing the major groups involved in milk marketing and dairy policy within the State of Maine, including producers from dairy cooperatives with farmers in Maine (DFA & Agri-Mark), an independent milk producer, a member of the National Farmers Organization, a member of the Maine Organic Milk Producers association, and a member of the Maine Farm Bureau Dairy Policy Committee.
In addition, there are three ex-officio members who represent the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the Maine Dairy Promotion Board/Maine Dairy & Nutrition Council, and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service.
Executive Committee:
President: Annie Watson | Sheepscot Valley Farm, Inc. | 2020*
Vice President: Dale Cole | Cole Farms | 2022*
Treasurer: Heath Miller | Green Valley Farm | 2018 (Dairy Farmers of America)
Secretary: Jason Tessier | Tessier Farm | 2021*
Dick Perkins | Alfaslopes Farm | 2020*
Bill Bullard | Briggeen Farms | 2021*
Libby Bleakney | Highland Farms | 2022*
Mary Castonguay | Castonguay Ayrshires | 2022 (Maine Organic Milk Producers)
George Field, Jr. | Fields Farm | 2022 (National Farmers Organization)
Barry Higgins | Maple Lane Farms | 2023 (Independent Shipper)
Henry Hardy | Hardy Farm | 2017 (Maine Farm Bureau)
John Stoughton| Misty Meadows | 2023 (Agrimark)
Nancy McBrady | Department of Agriculture^
Glenda Pereira | University of Maine Cooperative Extension^
Sarah Littlefield | Maine Dairy Promotion Board^
*At large member ^non voting ex-officio member