By Sheila Burkhardt, MMPA Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
In this International Year of Cooperatives, it is fitting to take a moment to acknowledge the role cooperatives have played in our industry and communities while working toward common goals that serve as the foundation of a cooperative.
Cooperatives have adapted and changed over the years, but their commitment to cooperative principles has remained. In looking back at MMPA’s history there are a number of initiatives that we are involved in that keep us focused on that common goal of marketing our members’ milk and aligned with cooperative principles.
Cooperatives such as MMPA place a priority on providing opportunities to member-owners to be involved and informed. MMPA will soon be gearing up for its member meeting season which was kicked off with virtual member briefings in August. This December, members will have the opportunity to attend their District Meeting where they will hear an update on industry and association activities and cast their vote on those who represent them at the district and state level. As a member-owner of MMPA, attending your District meeting is key. It not only provides the opportunity to hear updates, but it also provides an opportunity for Board members and staff to hear from members.
Each March, we bring members together for our Annual Meeting and throughout the year, we offer CORE educational programs focused on key topics. Participating in these member information opportunities helps ensure our cooperative’s success by keeping members informed and engaged. If you are an MMPA member and have not participated in a member meeting or CORE program, we encourage you to do so. There a lot of great things taking place at MMPA and we have a shared goal of utilizing these meetings to highlight those activities and answer questions members may have.
Working toward a common goal is also apparent when we join forces with other cooperatives both nationally and internationally. Our strategic partnership with Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF), the largest dairy cooperative in the world, highlights the efforts of our two cooperatives working together to bring Amul branded products made with MMPA milk to Americans. This is an excellent example of our two cooperatives working toward a common goal benefiting dairy farmer members of both cooperatives.
Working with National Milk Producers Federation and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives allows MMPA to join forces on the national level to work toward common goals that benefit all members. Working collectively on issues such as those impacting farm labor, nutrition, animal health, etc. has a much bigger impact through our collective efforts.
One of the principles of a cooperative is concern for community. At MMPA, we are proud of our work with the food bank system, our support of 4-H and FFA programs, and the college scholarships we make available to our members to name a few. Our sustainability initiatives have continued to grow and evolve on both the plant and farm level, all demonstrating our shared commitment to the communities we live and work in.
The theme designated by the United Nations for the International Year of the Cooperative is “cooperatives build a better world.” It is a fitting theme as demonstrated by the collective work of cooperatives, including MMPA, who all work on behalf of their member-owners toward a common goal.
This article was originally published in the September/October 2025 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »