The MMPA Dairy Communicator program is an on-going effort of approximately 60 members in the Great Lakes region. Elected members of a local work diligently to speak out and communicate on behalf of dairy farmers in their local area. Dairy Communicators are involved in a wide variety of local promotion activities ranging from hosting farm tours, going to schools to present to classrooms and engaging with consumers on various social media platforms. The Dairy Communicators met on May 16 to swap promotion ideas and recognize service award winners. Thank you, MMPA Dairy Communicators, for your years of service to the dairy industry and your local communities.
2022 Dairy Communicator Service Awards
25 Years –
Jodi Hill, Livingston Charter Local
15 Years –
Patti Jandernoa, Mid-Michigan Local
Lynda Horning, Saline Ann Arbor Local
10 Years –
Ann Folkersma, Chippewa Local
Gertie van den Goor, Mid-Sanilac Local
5 Years –
Amy Bergdolt, Frankenmuth Local
Samantha Mamarow, Saline Ann Arbor Local
Jodi Hill
FARM: Clarinda Farms
HOMETOWN: Webberville, Michigan
BECAME INVOLVED IN DAIRY FARMING: At birth!
BECAME A DAIRY COMMUNICATOR: 1997
What do you enjoy most about being part of the dairy community?
I love my dairy products – the one kind of food I’d never want to be without is my milk. I love my cows and I love communicating. We take our cows to the fair and when we are milking them there is an observation window. So many people come up and are so excited to hear about the cows and they will just stand there for a half an hour or an hour as we’re milking the cows and asking us questions and petting the cows. Being part of a farming community is everything. It’s been my whole life.
How has the MMPA Dairy Communicator program helped you promote dairy?
Dairy Communicators are always really supportive. Every time I’ve gone to the meetings, there’s lots of helpful information and the other communicators openly share their experiences. UDIM is such a good resource too. What I love about being a dairy communicator is the promotion part.
Share your favorite dairy promotion memory.
I’ve done Project Reds and showed kids what the milker is like putting their fingers in it. Giving out milk and ice cream at the fair. I passed out chocolate milk when my daughter ran cross country. All of that stuff! I couldn’t pick a particular favorite!
What advice would you share with someone just starting their dairy promotion journey?
Try anything. Any idea you can come up with as a way of promoting dairy – go for it! You never know if it will be successful, but most people are very receptive any time you hand out product. They love learning about cows. Dive into any community event you can get into and find an outlet for your promotion.
Patti Jandernoa
FARM: Dutch Meadows Dairy, LLC
HOMETOWN: Fowler, Michigan
BECAME INVOLVED IN DAIRY FARMING: 2007
BECAME A DAIRY COMMUNICATOR: 2007
What do you enjoy most about being part of the dairy community?
The dairy community is a wonderful community to be part of. Unlike other businesses or even other agriculture sectors, it’s amazing how dairy farmers are willing to share their successes and failures with each other. It truly is a community that wants to see everyone succeed.
How has the MMPA Dairy Communicator program helped you promote dairy?
The Dairy Communicator program is a great program. Communicators meet once a year and not only learn about what’s going on in our co-op, we also have a chance to talk about different promotion events that are held and opportunities for promotion. There’s nothing better than learning about promotion ideas from the people doing the promoting!
Share your favorite dairy promotion memory.
My favorite dairy promotion event that we’ve held was hosting Breakfast on the Farm (the first in Michigan) in 2009. There were so people that attended that had no idea about dairy and agriculture. It was a wonderful day of answering questions and most attendees were eager to learn about the industry and how a dairy farm operates.
What advice would you share with someone just starting their dairy promotion journey?
My advice would be that the little things turn into big things. You don’t have to hold a huge event, or stress over promotion. A conversation in a grocery store or with friends or family or the sharing or liking of a Facebook post can educate and promote the industry.
Lynda Horning
FARM: Horning Farms
HOMETOWN: Manchester, Michigan
BECAME INVOLVED IN DAIRY FARMING: 1995
BECAME A DAIRY COMMUNICATOR: 2007
What do you enjoy most about being part of the dairy community?
One thing I enjoy is seeing the family every day. I also enjoy educating people about dairy because when I married into it, I had no clue about what we did and what was involved. There are so many people who don’t know about dairy and it’s important to tell them what we do.
How has the MMPA Dairy Communicator program helped you promote dairy?
The Dairy Communicator program provides valuable resources. I don’t have the background in dairy, and I don’t keep up with industry news on my own. The workshops and information sent to us give us an opportunity to learn quickly and easily, rather than having me reading 50 different industry magazines. There are still things that I do not know and that’s why I like going to the meeting. I also get a lot out of the networking we do with others as far as sharing ideas. It’s nice to hear what others do and what has worked, or not worked, for them, and then turn around and fit it with our own community and what we want to do.
Share your favorite dairy promotion memory.
I would say when we started doing our annual neighbor open houses. It was such a success that we just had our 5th annual. Most of the attendees learn a lot about our operation and are surprised at the environmental sustainability of our dairy farm.
What advice would you share with someone just starting their dairy promotion journey?
Just go with what you think might work and take your passion for dairy and run with it! If you find something missing somewhere in the community, fill in the gap. Or try an event that is already established that doesn’t have a dairy presence. Plugging in with an event that already has their own audience is a great way to get started.
This article was originally published in the July/August 2022 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »