U.S. Dairy Export Council at the FEPALE Congress in Colombia

“The future is written with milk.”

A great theme for a great event, and one that felt right at home at the FEPALE (Federación Panamericana de Lechería) Congress in Colombia this week, co-hosted with Asoleche (Colombia’s dairy industry association) and bringing together dairy producers, industry leaders, academics, policymakers, and international organizations from across the Americas.

USDEC President and CEO Krysta Harden took the stage on Wednesday to talk partnership, collaboration, and the shared opportunity ahead with customers across Latin America. The message was simple: we’re here to build demand growth together and get more nutritious, great-tasting dairy products to more people.

The day before, USDEC hosted a U.S. Dairy Ingredients Seminar for food and beverage manufacturers from Colombia, Peru, and Chile, a chance to dig into the innovative solutions and high-quality supply that U.S. dairy brings to the table.

Harden also took a moment to spotlight the International Year of the Woman Farmer, declared by the United Nations (UN) for 2026 to recognize women’s essential role in farming, food security, nutrition, and economic resilience around the world.

And speaking of remarkable women in dairy: USDEC Chair and California dairy farmer Rebecca Nyman shared her own story, talking about how her farm continuously embraces best practices to produce the high-quality milk that ends up in great products worldwide.

In addition to the photo of Harden speaking at the FEPALE Congress, Nyman is shown speaking at the U.S. Dairy Ingredients Seminar, staffed by USDEC personnel, including, from left, Keith Meyer, marketing director, global ingredients marketing; Monica Ganley, vice president, global trade analysis; Harden; Kelly Sheridan, vice president, environmental affairs; Nyman; and Leonardo Silveira, USDEC director for South America.