Federal Milk Marketing Orders

Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs) establish certain provisions under which dairy processors purchase fresh milk from dairy farmers supplying a marketing area.  In Federal order provisions, dairy processors are referred to as handlers and dairy farmers are known as producers.  A marketing area is generally defined as a geographic area where handlers compete for packaged fluid milk sales, although other factors may be taken into account when determining the boundaries of a marketing area.  Federal orders serve to maintain stable marketing relationships for all handlers and producers supplying marketing areas, thus facilitating the complex process of marketing fresh milk. 

The Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act authorizes FMMOs and USDA amends and establishes them through a hearing process overseen by the Secretary of Agriculture.  The hearing process enables the dairy industry to submit proposals and evidence to support the establishment of and amendments to Federal order provisions.  This process allows the Federal order provisions to meet the changing needs of the dairy industry.  The establishment and amendments to a Federal order become effective only after approval by producers via a referendum process.

Program Operations

Each milk marketing order includes:

  • Classified price plan
  • System of minimum prices
  • Terms of the order
  • Provisions for administering the order

Information Requests

Hearing Information

Contact Information

Federal Orders:

Erin Taylor, Associate Deputy Administrator
Lauren Becker, Marketing Specialist
Emily DeBord, Marketing Specialist
Rebecca Dickerson, Marketing Specialist
Sandi Dreisonstok, Marketing Specialist
Bradley Vierra, Marketing Specialist

Enforcement:

Angie Salinas, Senior Marketing Specialist

Phone: 202-720-4392
Fax: 202-690-0552

Additional Resources