James A. McHale (1928–1989) was an American politician who led the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture from January 1971 to December 1975.
As milk prices fell, McHale organized a three-week strike in August 1959, as Local 205 of the Teamsters Union.
After discovering that he and local farmers were not being paid the price set by the Pennsylvania milk marketing board, McHale met with an attorney, F. Joseph Thomas.
Subsequent meetings drew an attendance of 400 farmers, and the collective became the Western Pennsylvania Milk Producers Association.
[6] He stepped down from the office in December 1975,[1] and began an advisership to Governor Milton Shapp's administration,[2] as Special Coordinator for Rural Planning and Programs.