Press Releases

Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association Elects Officers

PHILADELPHIA (July 3, 2007) – The Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association board of directors recently elected a new chairman and vice chairman for the 2007 term. 

David Weitzer, of Poolesville, Md., was elected chairman of the 15-member board.  Weitzer, who has been farming for 50 years, also serves as second vice chairman of the United Dairy Industry Association board of directors.

“The dairy checkoff program is focused on increasing dairy product demand as well as enhancing the image of dairy products and the dairy industry,” Weitzer said.  “Our responsibility, as dairy promotion board members, is to assure that this program is managed effectively and efficiently.”

Since 1983, when the national dairy checkoff program started, per capita consumption of all dairy products has increased to 593 pounds of dairy products on a total solids basis, compared to 522 pounds in 1983, according to USDA data.

Vernon Horst, a Chambersburg dairy farmer who has been on the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association board since 2005, was elected vice chairman. Continuing to serve as Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association officers are: Jeff Moore, Centreville, Md., secretary; and Jerrel Heatwole, Greenwood, Del., treasurer.

 Mid-term elections were held to fill the vacancies created when Gordon Hoover resigned as chairman to become the director of milk supply for Land O’Lakes Eastern Region in Carlisle, Pa. Hoover will continue to serve on Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association’s board of directors.

Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association is the local planning and management organization funded by dairy farmer checkoff dollars. It works closely with Dairy Management Inc. ™ and is responsible for increasing demand for U.S.-produced dairy products on behalf of Pennsylvania’s dairy farmers. For more information, visit www.dairyspot.com.