Roy Bergbigler a Clearfield Twp Dairy Farmer speaks at the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board meeting at BC3 Founders Hall on Wednesday September 26, 2018.

BUTLER TWP — There are 28 remaining dairy farms in Butler County, and judging by the 35 people who attended a listening session on Wednesday night with the state milk board, many of them showed up.

The state Milk Marketing Board traveled to Butler County Community College to describe the new mission that came with two new board members as well as to listen to the concerns and suggestions of the struggling dairy farmers in and around the county.

Rob Barley, the chairman of the three-person, Harrisburg-based board, explained that instead of simply setting minimum milk prices that processors must adhere to, the board has taken on the work of helping the dairy farmers of Pennsylvania.

“We are trying to be advocates for the dairy industry,” Barley said.

One of the board's main goals is to increase the demand for milk by educating consumers on the health benefits of whole milk.

Another goal is to have whole milk removed from the calorie count of school meals so that school districts can offer milk and chocolate milk to students and staff at times other than lunch.

Federal law now permits skim and 1 percent white and chocolate milk, which many farmers say kids throw away.

“We've lost a whole generation of kids,” said Jim Marburger, president of Marburger Farm Dairy in Forward Township.

“There were a lot of good ideas and perspectives shared by the people of Butler County,” county commisioner Kim Geyer said of the event.

She expressed frustration that state law largely prohibits the Milk Marketing Board from many collaborations and activities that could help farmers.

“Everyone is sitting here asking, 'Who's advocating for us?'” Geyer said.

Read the full story in Sunday's Butler Eagle.