Work for U.S. dairy exports continues during coronavirus crisis

The goal is “business as usual” for workers connected by technology to USDEC headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, and nine international offices.

The U.S. Dairy Export Council is utilizing technology to stay connected and productive as the coronavirus crisis disrupts day-to-day life in countries around the world.

Utilizing smartphones, laptops, web-based video conferencing, chat-based collaboration tools and high-speed Internet connections, USDEC staffers have been productive working from their homes.

“The goal is business as usual,” said USDEC President and CEO Tom Vilsack in a telephone interview from his home.

“We are constantly looking, every single day, for ways we can utilize the unfortunate situation we are faced with by working constructively and proactively. When we get

through this and on the other side of this situation, we will be able to do an even better job for the industry and for our dairy farmers.”

All nine USDEC international offices remain operational. The organization’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., is closed with U.S. staffers working from home, as recommended by government officials, to reduce health risks related to the pandemic.

Vilsack, a former U.S. Agriculture Secretary, answered three questions about USDEC’s contributions to the U.S. dairy industry during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Recorded for audio playback, those answers are below.

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How is USDEC continuing to serve the U.S. dairy industry during the ongoing coronavirus crisis? 

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What, if anything, has this global pandemic prevented USDEC from doing?

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It has been said that opportunity can be found in any crisis. What opportunities do you see coming out of this crisis? 

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