A lengthy process to reform Federal Milk Marketing Orders is moving toward a producer vote. A national hearing process lasted nearly 50 days in late 2023 and early 2024. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service issued its recommendation this past summer, followed by a public comment period. Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative Vice President Heidi Fischer said this is an important step. “The votes coming up by the end of December so we’re hoping that that will pass,” said Fischer. “Change hasn’t happened in almost 15 years. We were hoping for a bit more change, but we’re hoping this will open the door.”
