Category: News

Recognition acknowledges Doug Chapin’s efforts to share dairy’s story and address challenging issues facing the industry.

The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) Board Chairman Doug Chapin has been named the 2024 National Milk Producer Federation’s (NMPF) Farmer Communicator of the Year. Chapin accepted the award last week at NMPF’s annual meeting held in Phoenix, Arizona.

“I don’t take my leadership role lightly and I recognize how important it is to share our story and do my part to help people understand the work we do every day,” Chapin said. “At times it seems like there are challenges at every turn, and I’m honored to be in a position where I can make a difference.”

The NMPF Dairy Farmer Communicator of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding farmer’s efforts in sharing dairy’s story and celebrates those who go above and beyond to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by dairy farmers.

“Chapin was recognized for his leadership in communicating farmer and co-op perspectives on challenging issues that were of top priority to dairy farmers and the entire industry throughout 2024, including dairy’s response to the discovery of the H5N1 influenza virus in dairy cattle and efforts to modernize the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) system,” NMPF said.

In 2024, Chapin testified on behalf of NMPF and MMPA for FMMO reform, advocating for the higher of Class 3 or 4 proposal for the Class I skim milk price mover. In addition, he was instrumental during the beginning of the H5N1 outbreak. Chapin supported a science-based regulatory approach to legislators, represented dairy interests to the media, and maintained critical industry relations within the agriculture community.

“Doug is a leading voice in our industry and is the first to step forward when dairy farmers need representation,” Joe Diglio, MMPA President & CEO said. “I couldn’t be more pleased with his willingness to advocate for our members and communicate their needs.”

Chapin represents MMPA on a number of national industry committees including the National Milk Producers Federation Board of Directors, National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management Program committees, and the U.S. Dairy Export Council and Trade Envoy Program.

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.— 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