Category: News

On Thursday, October 17, the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Alexis Taylor, for a Women in Agriculture Roundtable.

Under Secretary Taylor led a discussion at MMPA’s Novi, Michigan, headquarters with over a dozen of women in leadership roles within Michigan’s agriculture community. The session highlighted USDA programs and resources that support U.S. agricultural exports and served as a platform to discuss key issues impacting women in agriculture.

“We were honored to host Under Secretary Taylor and engage in meaningful conversations with women leaders in agriculture,” said Joe Diglio, MMPA President and CEO. “The discussion not only showcased the importance of USDA’s programs, but also emphasized the critical role women play in advancing agriculture industries.”

MMPA is proud to have 50% of their senior leadership team and 28% of their total leadership roles filled by women and recognizes the importance of gender diversity in driving success. MMPA’s commitment to fostering inclusivity extends across every level of the cooperative, with 27% of their over 600 employees identifying as female. MMPA is committed to making business decisions that positively impact their members, employees, stakeholders and communities they live and work in.

This roundtable was part of USDA’s efforts to promote the United Nations’ designation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Under Secretary Taylor’s visit to MMPA is part of her nationwide tour to engage with agricultural leaders and promote the contributions of women to the industry’s future.

Recognition reinforces MMPA’s 108-year-long legacy of producing high-quality, award-winning dairy products.

MADISON, Wisc. — Butter made by the farmer-owned Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) was awarded first place in the unsalted butter category at the prestigious World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest.

“Receiving this recognition for one of our signature products is a testament to the commitment and hard work of our entire membership and team,” said Molly Costaris, MMPA Director of Commodity Sales. “Producing high-quality dairy products begins with our members’ commitment to producing quality milk on their farms and continues through every step of the process at our plants.”

The World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest is the only North American judging contest which encompasses all dairy products. The contest features product classes including cheese, butter, fluid milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream, cultured milk and dried whey from throughout the United States.

The award-winning butter was produced at MMPA’s Ovid, Michigan dairy ingredient plant. MMPA also operates a cheese plant in Middlebury, Indiana; a dairy product plant in Canton, Ohio; and another dairy ingredient plant in Constantine, Michigan.

“Our plants receive high quality milk, utilize proper process controls and conduct rigorous testing on finished products,” Sudeep Jain, MMPA Director of Quality said. “By doing this, we ensure supply of wholesome and delicious dairy products to every customer, every day.”

In addition to butter, MMPA produces a wide array of dairy ingredients, including ultra-filtered milk, nonfat dry milk, cream and buttermilk powder, for use in products such as ice cream, baked goods and more. MMPA also manufactures retail fluid milk, ice cream and other dairy products.

MMPA members are known for producing some of the highest quality milk in the nation and annually receive national recognition through the National Dairy Quality Award program. This latest recognition for MMPA’s unsalted butter reinforces MMPA’s 108-year-long legacy of producing high-quality, award-winning dairy products.

NOVI, Mich. — The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) is pleased to announce Ashley Kennedy as the 2024 Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator (OYDC). She farms alongside her husband, Eric, on their third-generation farm, Sheridan Dairy LLC, located in Bad Axe, Mich. As the winning cooperator, Kennedy will represent MMPA at various industry and association activities.

Sheridan Dairy milks 240 Jersey and Holstein cows and operates 280 acres. Established in 1962, the farm has been a cornerstone of their community and dairy industry, with the Kennedys continuing the legacy by raising the next generation on the farm.

“The mission of Sheridan Dairy is to continue our family farm legacy by embracing the highest quality care for our cows, land, employees and environment,” Kennedy said. “We strive to foster diversity and innovation in all parts of our business, in order to offer the opportunity for future generations to continue the farm.”

Alongside Kennedy, Jake Buning of Falmouth, Mich, will serve as the 2024 runner-up cooperator. He milks 760 cows and operates 1,600 acres on his family’s farm in Falmouth, Mich. Selection of the OYDC is done by a selection committee representing leaders in the Great Lakes dairy industry. Applicant’s farming operations, farm-related and community activities and demonstrated leadership abilities are considered during the process.

“The OYDC program is a fundamental tool in encouraging young dairy cooperators to network and learn more about their cooperative to help identify future leaders and recognize their efforts,” Doug Chapin, MMPA board chairman, said. Chapin and his wife, Cheri, were the MMPA OYDC runners-up in 1990.

MMPA has been identifying future leaders through the OYDC program since 1950.  The purpose of the program is to strengthen leadership abilities in young farmers, broaden young farmers’ knowledge of milk marketing and MMPA, and recognize the abilities and stewardship of young dairy farmers. This honor highlights the Kennedys’ and Buning’s dedication to strengthening their farming operation, making a difference in their communities and providing leadership in the industry.

2024 OYDC Finalists

• Zach Steiner – Creston, Ohio
• Ross & Markel Williams – Homer, Mich.
• Ty & Tammy Spicher – Paw Paw, Mich.
• David Krafft – Frankenmuth, Mich.
• Erich Lautner – Traverse City, Mich.

NOVI, Mich. – The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Aaron Anticic as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In his new role, Anticic will be responsible for managing and overseeing all financial activities of MMPA, ensuring the organization’s long-term financial stability, and supporting its strategic vision.

Anticic brings a wealth of experience to MMPA, having spent over 13 years at Mastronardi Produce, one of the largest produce companies in the world. Starting his tenure at Mastronardi as a financial analyst, Anticic advanced to the position of VP Finance, most recently leading the finance team at the Mastronardi BerryWorld Americas joint venture. During his tenure with Mastronardi Produce, Anticic built and led various accounting and finance teams which played a central role in the development of strategy and in managerial decision making throughout the organization.

“We are excited to welcome Aaron to our executive team,” said Joe Diglio, MMPA President & CEO. “His proven track record in financial leadership and experience with the agriculture industry will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen and grow our cooperative. We are confident that Aaron’s expertise and vision will greatly contribute to the future success of MMPA.”

Aaron holds a Master of Business Administration with distinction from the Richard Ivey School of Business in London, Ontario, Canada. He lives in the Metro Detroit area with his wife and children. In addition to his CFO role with MMPA, Anticic has been appointed as an officer of the MMPA Board of Directors.

“I am honored to join MMPA and work with such a dedicated team,” said Anticic. “I look forward to leveraging my experience to support MMPA’s dairy-farmer owners by ensuring the cooperative’s financial health and contributing to its strategic initiatives.”

America’s lowest carbon-intensity dairy ethanol plant breaks ground in southwest Michigan, adding to the needed biofuel supply and helping lower the dairy industry’s carbon footprint.

CONSTANTINE, Mich. – Today, the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) and Canadian Dairy Distillery celebrated the groundbreaking of their innovative $41 million ethanol plant in Constantine, Michigan. The event featured remarks from key figures including MMPA Board Chairman Doug Chapin, MMPA President and CEO Joe Diglio, and Dairy Distillery CEO Omid McDonald.

“I’ve been inspired by MMPA dairy farmers and their commitment to sustainability,” Dairy Distillery CEO Omid McDonald said. “Our partnership with MMPA represents a groundbreaking innovation in the dairy sector. Utilizing milk permeate to produce low carbon ethanol is an innovative solution to reduce carbon footprint and provide dairy farmers more value from their milk.”

As a result of their partnership, the new facility will transform 14,000 tons of milk permeate, a dairy byproduct, into 2.2 million gallons of ethanol annually. When blended with transportation fuel, the permeate ethanol will offset 14,500 tons of carbon a year, equivalent to 5% of carbon footprint of the milk processed at Constantine.

“The Dairy Distillery Alliance marks a significant step forward in our sustainability journey. By transforming milk permeate into ethanol, we are not only reducing waste but also contributing to a cleaner environment,” MMPA President & CEO Joe Diglio said. “This project highlights our commitment to innovation and sustainable practices within the dairy industry. It’s a testament to the dedication of our members and partners in striving for a sustainable future. We are proud to lead this initiative that benefits the communities we all work and live in.”

The project received $2.5 million in funding from the Michigan Strategic Fund, showing the state’s commitment to the future of clean energy. Lending partners for this renewable energy project include Pathward®, N.A. and CoBank.

“Pathward is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and contributing to community development. One way the company does that is by financing renewable energy projects like the one breaking ground today,” according to David Menoian, Pathward Senior Managing Director, Business Development.

“CoBank is excited to be involved in today’s event and recognizes the growing demand for renewable energy solutions across rural America,” said Mike Minnihan, CoBank Vice President, Lead Relationship Manager.

Ethanol production at the plant is planned for 2025. The Dairy Distillery Alliance was initially announced last spring, marking the beginning of this groundbreaking partnership.

“The efforts at Michigan Milk Producers Association and Dairy Distillery in Constantine, Mich. are a prime example of how innovation and partnership and collaboration can meet the important needs of expanding producer economic opportunities, providing a value-added product, and addressing the need for low carbon renewable fuels,” said John Berge, Acting Deputy Administrator, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). “The investment that USDA made through the Inflation Reduction Act will result in those important outcomes for Michigan dairy producers. We are proud of that and hope this becomes the first of many of these types of projects.”

NOVI, Mich.— Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) members and guests gathered in Novi, Mich. on March 20 for MMPA’s 108th Annual Meeting. The nearly 200 attendees learned from MMPA leadership and industry partners about how MMPA is evolving and joined in celebrating the partners and members who made the success possible.

During the Annual Meeting, Joe Diglio, MMPA President & CEO, expressed how the cooperative’s momentum and vision for the future will continue to support its members. “We are excited about where we are headed as an organization and we’re doing it on behalf of you: to extract value, tout your message and continue to get the nutritional aspects of what you produce on your farms into the marketplace. This wouldn’t be possible without the many partners who are here today.”

Attendees heard from partners including Michelle McBride, GoodSport Founder & CEO; Omid McDonald, Dairy Distillery Founder & CEO; and Dr. Jayen Mehta, Amul Managing Director. These partnerships enable MMPA to diversify its portfolio and invest in premium products that reach a broader spectrum of consumers.

“We’re making a dent in the sports nutrition world, and because of this partnership with MMPA, we’re going to bring new innovation to life,” GoodSport Founder & CEO, Michelle McBride shared. “With the use of your raw materials and the technology and expertise of Creative Edge, we’re able to work on new products to bring into the marketplace.”

Omid McDonald, Dairy Distillery Founder & CEO, also shared the impact of MMPA’s partnership to construct the lowest-carbon intensity ethanol facility in the world at MMPA’s Constantine, Mich. plant. “The Dairy Distillery project will be one of the dairy industry’s largest decarbonization projects. MMPA’s Constantine, Mich. plant produces around 16,000 tons of permeate annually, which will generate 16,000 tons of carbon reduction a year when turned into ethanol and blended into transportation fuel.”

A new partnership was also announced during the meeting, bringing together MMPA, America’s tenth largest dairy cooperative, with Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF), the world’s largest dairy cooperative and owners of the Amul brand. The collaboration will launch the first Amul branded fluid milk products in the U.S., utilizing MMPA member milk, MMPA’s caseless milk packaging design and proprietary fluid milk technology.

“We are very honored and pleased to enter into an association with MMPA, a very respected 108-year-old dairy cooperative. This association will ensure all our American and Indian consumers will be nourished and energized with the goodness of Amul Milk,” Amul Managing Director Dr. Jayen Mehta said. “This is the first time that Amul fresh milk is being launched anywhere outside India. It is our great pleasure to bring the taste of India to the world, in alignment with the vision of our Hon Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to make Amul a global dairy brand.”

In addition to recognizing partners, the Annual Meeting proceedings involved recognizing the outcome of the cooperative’s member governance changes last year and honoring several MMPA members including MMPA Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators, MMPA Dairy Communicators Service Award Recipients, members achieving 35 and 50 years of membership, and the MMPA member farm who achieved the best quality milk in 2023 of all MMPA farms, De Grins Oer Dairy of Blanchard, Mich.

“Our cooperative’s strength relies on young farmers who have a future in our organization, our long-time members who provide the stability and wisdom that come with many years in the business, and members who are willing to meet with consumers where they are to promote our industry,” Doug Chapin, MMPA Board Chairman said.

MMPA Treasurer Eric Frahm presented the financial status of the cooperative and reported on a strong balance sheet with annual net savings in fiscal year 2023 of $5.9 million. MMPA recently paid out $1.6 million in cash patronage refunds to its dairy farmer members, representing twenty-five percent of the net savings with the remaining non-cash balance allocated to certificates of equity to be revolved back to members in future years.

In the board reorganizational meeting held at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting, the following officers were reelected: Doug Chapin as board chairman, Tony Jandernoa as board vice chairman and Eric Frahm as treasurer.

Eight students at Michigan State University were awarded scholarships thanks to the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA). As a long-time supporter of dairy education, MMPA annually sponsors scholarships for members, their children and employees enrolled in dairy programs at area land-grant universities.

For the 2023-2024 academic year, MMPA awarded eight scholarships, totaling $23,500, based on academics, involvement in the dairy industry and letters of recommendation. The scholarship fund aims to assist students pursuing a career in the dairy industry.

“MMPA is working to make the future of Michigan’s dairy industry even stronger than it is today by supporting the education of future dairy industry leaders. These scholarships encourage the next generation to equip themselves with new skills and pursue careers in the dairy industry following graduation,” said Joe Diglio, MMPA President & CEO.

The MSU scholarships are for students pursuing a dairy management certificate in the Institute of Agricultural Technology or who are enrolled in the Dairy Concentration Program in the Department of Animal Science. MMPA scholarships are also available for members or children of members enrolled in any agriculture-related major at Purdue University and The Ohio State University.

Scholarship applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are due Sept. 1. for the MSU scholarships. Scholarship applications for Purdue University and The Ohio State University are due Jan. 1 for freshmen students and due Feb. 1 for current students.

In continuation of MMPA’s efforts to support youth development and education, MMPA is a supporter of the Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership program and the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation.

MMPA Scholarship Recipients:

• Grant Gasper, Lowell, MI – Member Scholarship Recipient
• Brianna Hill, Gregory, MI – Member Scholarship Recipient
• Grace Brown, Reese, MI – Employee Scholarship Recipient
• Lane Herrman, Buchanan, MI – Employee Scholarship Recipient
• Avery Mays, Millington, MI – Employee Scholarship Recipient
• Danielle Rummel, East Lansing, MI – Employee Scholarship Recipient
• Adalee Thelen, St. Johns, MI – Employee Scholarship Recipient
• Rachael Bosse, Wayland, MI – Employee Scholarship Recipient

Partnership aims to create an alliance for future innovation and furthers commitment to sustainability.

NOVI, Mich. – Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA), a dairy cooperative committed to fostering innovation announced that it has taken an equity stake in Chicago-based start-up, GoodSport Nutrition, the company dedicated to harnessing the natural benefits of milk to create innovative, clean and effective sports nutrition solutions.

GoodSport Nutrition is recognized for launching GoodSport®, the first dairy-based sports drink on the market. GoodSport® is a natural hydration option with 3x the electrolytes and 33% less sugar than traditional sports drinks. Peer-reviewed published studies funded by Dairy Management, Inc., demonstrate that the drink hydrates better than water and traditional sports drinks and improves exercise performance. The company utilizes naturally occurring electrolytes and vitamins extracted from milk to create the clear, refreshing sports drink.

“With a shared commitment to advancing dairy innovation and meeting evolving consumer preferences, the partnership reflects MMPA’s passion for creating new opportunities for our dairy farmer owners, our commitment to leveraging our investments in technology and our dedication to sustainability,” said Joe Diglio, MMPA president and CEO. “This partnership, along with MMPA’s subsidiary Creative Edge, will leverage our organizations’ strengths for future dairy product innovations that will promote the use of dairy to the next generation of consumers.”

GoodSport® rescues and upcycles a nutrient-rich byproduct of ultra-filtered milk, a use that hadn’t been fully developed. This effort improves the value of the food system. MMPA is committed to social responsibility throughout the entire supply chain, with sustainable practices beginning on the farm and continuing through its processing facilities.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Michigan Milk Producers Association as a strategic partner to drive growth and strengthen our ability to bring new, innovative and sustainable products to families across the country,” said Michelle McBride, Founder and CEO of GoodSport Nutrition. “Together, we will continue to champion the incredible benefits of milk as a natural, extremely effective and sustainable source of sports nutrition.”

The collaboration brings together the longstanding dairy expertise of MMPA with the forward-thinking approach of GoodSport Nutrition.

Pictured above: Members of the MMPA Executive Committee join GoodSport Nutrition Founder & CEO Michelle McBride. Back row (L-R): Eric Frahm, MMPA District Director & Treasurer; Aaron Gasper, MMPA Director-At-Large; and Greg Soehnlen, MMPA Chief Operations and Business Development Officer. Front row (L-R): Carlton Evans, MMPA Director-At-Large; Joe Diglio, MMPA President & CEO; Michelle McBride, GoodSport Nutrition Founder & CEO; and Tony Jandernoa, MMPA District Director & Vice Chairman. 

NOVI, Mich. – Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA), in partnership with Newtrient and others, has been awarded a $6.2 million grant through the 2023 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

MMPA was one of 10 dairy cooperatives and industry partners to receive funding totaling $112 million. Announced by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the nearly $1 billion in funding targeted 81 partnership projects that incentivize environmental sustainability.

The investment in dairy’s environmental stewardship efforts aligns with MMPA’s commitment to cooperative social responsibility and sustainable business practices throughout the entire supply chain. The grant funding will be used to develop a farmer-focused project that will increase the adoption of methane-emissions-reducing Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation practices focused on manure management and feed management, with anticipated enrollment beginning in 2024.

“Dairy and agriculture have a unique role in the sustainability space,” said Doug Chapin, MMPA Board Chairman. “We’re honored to receive this funding so that as farmers, we can expand our commitment to sustaining our livelihoods for the next generation.”

As part of MMPA’s commitment to sustainability on the farm, MMPA members have participated in numerous sustainability focused projects with emphasis on soil health, feed efficiency and forage management. MMPA has adopted the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment, which is a demonstration of U.S. dairy’s long-standing values, and a pledge to uphold those values for today, tomorrow and the future. Learn more about MMPA’s sustainability commitment at https://www.mimilk.com/about-the-cooperative/social-responsibility/.