Bernie Morrissey: ‘There is corruption in the system, and it needs to change’

HARRISBURG, Pa. — While whole milk policy drew much of the attention, Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson’s (R-15-Pa.) annual Farm Show listening session also surfaced a broader set of issues weighing on Pennsylvania agriculture — from immigration and workforce shortages to land rights, data centers, processing capacity, and farmer trust in the dairy system.

The two-hour session, held during the 110th Pennsylvania Farm Show, brought together farmers, youth leaders, and industry representatives who used the open-floor format to press federal and state leaders on challenges they say are becoming increasingly urgent at the farm level.

Joining Rep. GT at the head table were Rep. Dan Meuser (R-7-Pa.) and Rep. Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (R-8-Pa.), along with Pennsylvania Ag Secretary Russell Redding and Penn State University Dean of Ag Sciences Troy Ott.

Several participants tied policy changes, including expanded school milk options, to a broader dairy infrastructure readiness question: Is Pennsylvania positioned to capture new demand if it materializes?

Farmers warned that while other states are investing in dairy processing capacity, Pennsylvania’s milk production has remained flat to declining. Without additional processing investment, they said, new demand could bypass local farms.

Grassroots Pennsylvania Dairy Advisory Committee chairman Bernie Morrissey used the listening session to challenge long-standing assumptions about Pennsylvania’s Class I over-order premium that is built into minimum prices for all fluid milk sales within the Commonwealth.

He said the premium should be eliminated, arguing that it no longer reaches Pennsylvania dairy farmers as intended by the law.

“Our consumers pay that premium on all the milk they buy in Pennsylvania,” Morrissey said, aiming his comments at Secretary Redding. “There are too many loopholes that allow it to disappear into other pockets, making it worthless.”

He also raised concerns to federal lawmakers about dairy checkoff transparency and cooperative bloc voting, saying both issues reflect a loss of trust by taking funds and votes from the hands of dairy farmers without accountability or a democratic process for representation.

“Voting should be one farmer one vote, that would be democratic,” Morrissey said afterward. “The checkoff collects hundreds of millions of dollars every year, and where does it go? Meanwhile, farmers are right now struggling to survive. There is corruption in the system, and it needs to change.”

Another key discussion centered on immigration and workforce stability, particularly for dairy farms that operate year-round and do not fit existing seasonal guest-worker programs.

Thompson emphasized that domestic food production is a matter of national security and acknowledged that current immigration systems do not work for dairy. He said efforts continue toward developing a year-round dairy work visa, urging farms and workers to remain compliant while federal solutions are developed.

Several farmers noted that shrinking farm families have compounded the labor problem.

Questions about eminent domain surfaced early, reflecting growing concern among landowners facing infrastructure, energy, and development pressures.

Thompson reaffirmed his support for private property rights, stating that agricultural land should not be taken lightly for non-farm development. Participants cited ongoing projects in southern Pennsylvania as examples of why farmland protections remain a pressing issue.

Speakers also raised concerns about the rapid expansion of data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure, questioning how large-scale projects may compete with agriculture for land, water, and energy resources.

While some of the technical discussion extended beyond day-to-day farm operations, the underlying concern was clear: rural communities should not absorb the costs of development without seeing clear economic or agricultural benefits.

Throughout the session, FFA and 4-H members drew praise for their thoughtful questions and strong public-speaking skills, underscoring the importance of engaging the next generation in agricultural policy discussions.

Thompson highlighted youth involvement as critical because agriculture confronts challenges that are becoming more complex. The session did not produce immediate policy fixes, but participants said its value lies in its candor and continuity.

Each year, Thompson’s listening session operates as a practical working forum, a place where unresolved issues are raised plainly and agriculture’s interconnected challenges are examined side by side.

In fact, it was at this forum nearly 15 years ago that the idea of restoring whole milk in schools first gained traction. Watching that effort reach the brink of becoming law before this year’s session began, underscored the long-term impact of the discussion that happens here.

As one attendee summarized afterward, dairy policy does not exist in isolation. It sits at the intersection of labor, land, markets, and trust — pressures that are intensifying amid rapid consolidation.

In a state dominated by small and mid-sized family farms, the ability of those farms to survive and thrive ultimately determines the future of Pennsylvania’s entire agricultural economy.