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Michigan Milk Messenger

MMPA Annual Meeting: Focus on Cooperation

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Focusing on cooperation, approximately 400 members and guests gathered for the 102nd Annual State Delegate Meeting of the Michigan Milk Producers Association on March 15 at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan.   MMPA President Ken Nobis provided an update on industry and MMPA activities, including a discussion on controllable vs. uncontrollable issues the cooperative […]

Future Success is Generated by Past Visionaries: The Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation Celebrates 60 Years

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As the NCAA Men’s Basketball season begins with courts across the country filled with athletes who have been awarded thousands of dollars in scholarship money to play basketball, dairy industry minded students are gearing up to compete for scholarships offered by one of the largest scholarship programs in the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural […]

From the Mine Fields to the Corn Fields

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As a combat engineer in Iraq, Mike O’Farrell spent his days scanning the roads looking for Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) serving the United States military to keep his fellow soldiers safe. Today, instead of hearing bombs explode, O’Farrell listens to noisy calves at feeding time and monitors calm cows meandering through the barn to be […]

The Rubingh’s Dairy ABCs

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“A is for Alfalfa. B is for Bottle. C is for Calf.” It’s the ABCs of a dairy farm. While dairy farmers are experts in their field—literally—and know these ABCs by heart, outside the agriculture sphere, these concepts aren’t as familiar to all. Enter Rebekah Rubingh, MMPA member dairy farmer and former elementary school teacher, […]

MMPA: A Committed Co-op

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Hoard’s Dairyman made a prediction in 1916 and 101 years later that prediction is still coming true. After attending the very first MMPA cooperative collaboration of nearly 400 of Michigan’s dairy producers, Hoard’s Dairyman reported, “If the temper of the milk producers present at this meeting is evidence of the feeling existing generally among their […]

The Elzinga’s Powerful Partnership

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Nate and Jenny Elzinga are committed. That may seem like an obvious statement to describe a married couple, but this pair is committed not just to each other but to working together to power their 240-cow dairy farm forward with technology. Through their partnership, the husband-and-wife team is best caring for their farm, which involves […]

Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators meet for 2017 conference

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Twelve MMPA members built their knowledge of their co-op’s management, thanks to the 2017 MMPA Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator (OYDC) conference. The members, the 2017 class of Top 10 OYDCs, converged in Novi, Michigan for a two-day conference on August 17-18 held annually as part of MMPA’s leadership development initiatives. The conference included a tour […]

50 Years with Kroger and Michigan Dairy

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On an average day, one out of every seven American adults will make a trip to the grocery store, as reported by the Time Use Institute. Those Americans will spend about 43 minutes stocking up on butter and bread, perusing apples and avocados and pushing their shopping carts down polished alleys of frozen food. And […]

Four ways MMPA partners with Kroger

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The Michigan Dairy, operated by the Kroger Co. of Michigan, is now celebrating 50 years bringing fresh, wholesome milk to their customers. MMPA honored The Kroger Co. of Michigan with the inaugural Valued Partner Award at MMPA’s 101st Annual State Delegate Meeting on March 23. The two organizations have sustained a partnership that extends into […]

The Man Behind the Milk Sales

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It’s not uncommon to catch Carl Rasch, hands resting on his hips, midway through a discussion on the current state of  dairy markets. He can just as easily say, with his unmistakable low and gravelly voice, the prices of each class of milk today as he can recall the ups and downs of the industry throughout […]

Building a Firm Foundation Through Research

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Markets, weather, genetics, labor issues, they are all integral parts of a successful dairy farm.  Add one more building block and you have a solid foundation to keep the industry advancing: animal agriculture research. For years Michigan State University (MSU) has been crucial in assisting the dairy industry using research in disease control, management, marketing […]

You Will Never Need Them, Until You Do

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 When MMPA members were asked to participate in the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program, Steve Foley of Millington, Michigan, was less than thrilled about the idea of more paperwork. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) were part of the FARM process and having an SOP for each part of the dairy operation was recommended. Steve’s daughter, […]

How has MMPA’s member publication changed in 100 volumes?

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The year was 1919. The three-year-old Michigan Milk Producers Association was a federated organization operating out of Howell, Michigan. The goal was selling milk—at a price set by the member-run sales committee—for autonomous local associations organized around the state. But the young cooperative’s secretary and selling agent, R.C. Reed, knew the membership needed more. He […]

Ag-vocacy: Why the passion of a few must become an obligation for all

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Sometimes when I visit my family back home I help wait tables at their restaurant. My family and the employees there always end up teasing me because I end up talking to a table for 20 minutes about how great milk quality is, and what a fantastic job farms do taking care of their animals. […]

Dairy Communicators: Champions of Dairy Promotion

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Since 1979, MMPA Dairy Communicators (DC) have been spreading the word about the goodness and benefits of dairy in the diet and now nearly forty years later, dairy promotion continues with the pioneers in dairy promotion history. With one basic desire: to educate the public with the real story of where their milk comes from, […]

The MMPA Value Proposition

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Value. It’s our worth, it’s the advantage we hold and it’s the principles that guide us. In a cooperative like MMPA, collective ownership means members share in the business’ value. For General Manager Joe Diglio, MMPA’s “value proposition” comes down to the cooperative’s vision and actions, as well as the benefits derived from listening and […]

Who Ya Gonna Call? Crisis preparedness a necessity for farms

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“Things can spin out of control really fast.” Gertie van den Goor knew this from experience from a simple post on Facebook. The Goma Dairy owner of Marlette, relayed the story of posting a positive video on her Facebook page and how she was shocked when it was viewed approximately 64,000 times. While this video […]

Mobilizing the MMPA Milk Marketing Machine

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In 2015, MMPA member milk marketed totaled record amounts never before seen in the cooperative’s history. The unwavering cows across member herds in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin had furnished a 4.2 percent increase in milk production over 2014 to reach 4.6 billion pounds. Then again in 2016, those hard-working bovines gave members an additional […]

Maintaining Market Share Means Excelling in Udder Health

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The definition of “high milk quality” and standards for acceptable udder health are continuously becoming more rigorous and dairy producers who wish to remain competitive must meet or exceed these evolving standards. Dr. Pamela Ruegg, a professor and extension milk quality specialist from the the University of Wisconsin shared her expertise on excelling in milk […]

Six Reasons Why YOU Should Attend the 2017 YC Conference

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By Barbara Siemen, 2016 Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator The 2017 Young Cooperator Conference is almost upon us!  Join us at the Bavarian Inn and Conference Center in Frankenmuth, Michigan for a “Spring Getaway.” Here’s six reasons why you should attend this year’s conference: 1. Bring your “A” game for a hilarious round of ‘Farms Against […]

Eighteen Michigan Dairy Ambassadors Prep for Year of Dairy Promotion

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Eighteen Michigan youth were named Michigan Dairy Ambassadors after gathering at the 2017 Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference (GLRDC) for leadership training, commencing a year of dairy promotion and outreach in Michigan. The program welcomes students in high school and college to hone in on their skills and learn how to communicate about their passion in […]

Shaping the Future Together

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With MMPA’s centennial year drawn to a close, we are honing in on the future through an emphasis on the cooperative spirit and the value of working together. In 2016, a storm of challenges impacted the dairy industry, yet MMPA is weathering these winds and shaping the future together. Fostering Our Farms Our members are […]

One Name Does Not Fit All

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From allergies to ethical reasons, plant-based products posing as equally nutritional dairy substitutes have grown in popularity in many instances due to shrewd marketing and the decadent use of the term ‘milk’ on the labels. From almond milk to rice yogurt, the labeling of plant-based protein substitutes has been a free-for-all in the dairy case […]

Above and Beyond for Flint

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It’s been nearly 500 days since the news broke about the Flint Water Crisis and residents are still not able to trust the water supply as the State of Michigan replaces the water pipes. It’s been 365 days since MMPA stepped in and delivered the first of three loads of 12,000 gallons of milk. But […]

Charging Ahead to 2017 at the MMPA Leaders’ Conference

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Before the local meetings and district meetings and even the Annual State Delegate meeting, MMPA members in leadership roles gather every fall for the MMPA Leaders’ Conference. On Nov. 21, 2016, these leaders—including local officers, district officers, dairy communicators and OYDCs—met in East Lansing, Michigan to begin the next few months of member gatherings. This […]

A Final Look at the First 100 Years of MMPA

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  Throughout 2016, MMPA has reflected on the beginning days, turbulent years and successes of the cooperative’s first century. First founded on May 23, 1916 at Michigan State University’s predecessor, Michigan Agricultural College, MMPA is one century strong as a farmer owned cooperative. Celebrations in 2016 included publishing a history book, video series and the 12 […]

MSU Extension honors MMPA with Key Partner Award

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Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA), a long-time supporter and partner of Michigan State University Extension, received the Key Partner Award from Michigan State University Extension for its longtime support and for its work helping the people of Flint during the water emergency. The Key Partner Award, presented at MSU Extension’s annual conference in October, is […]

Michigan Dairy Ambassador Program Gearing Up for 2017

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Michigan high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in the dairy industry have until Jan. 6 to apply for the 2017 Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program. Continuing with updates instituted last year, the program offers dairy communications training to interested applicants. All applicants meeting baseline criteria will be invited to […]

Six Farmers, Six Leaders, 100 Years

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They traded in their t-shirts for a suit and tie. They took off their favorite hat revealing their white foreheads and hard work and used their brains for making marketing decisions. They slipped off their boots, put on their wingtips and headed to Lansing and Washington D.C. on behalf of their peers, sacrificing family time, […]

Highlights from the 2016 NDB/NMPF/UDIA Joint Annual Meeting

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The 2016 joint annual meeting of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) and the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) was held Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, in Nashville, Tennessee. Nearly 800 dairy producers, member cooperatives, Young Cooperators (YCs), industry representatives, staff, and others from all over the country […]

NMPF Young Cooperators Conference

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Visiting Nashville for the first time ever proved to be memorable beyond our wildest dreams! Darrin and I were fortunate to be selected MMPA’s OYDC for this year, which led us to Nashville, Tennessee for the joint NDB/NMPF/UDIA annual meeting at the end of October. We attended the meeting with last year’s OYCDs, Shawn and […]

The Road Less Traveled Forged by Great Leaders

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Maintaining a business for 100 years requires remarkable leadership and belief in the company. MMPA managed to have both, stacking decades on top of decades of business through leadership that pioneered the dairy industry from one century to another. MMPA began leading the dairy industry by simply existing. Forming the cooperative was the first step […]

Bring in the Cheese! MMPA Enters Cheese Making Business with Purchase of Indiana’s Deutsch Käse Haus

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As horse-drawn buggies clip-clop down the county road, locals and tourists alike visit the Deutsch Käse Haus, exiting the red barn storefront with Colby-cheese-colored shopping bags in hand. Amidst the quaint Amish countryside in northern Indiana, this staple in the community has been brought under new ownership. In early October, MMPA announced the purchase of […]

Carrying the Torch through the Bicentennial with Dairy

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Two hundred years ago, the state of Indiana was established. Then, as it is today, the dairy industry was a vital component to the state. To celebrate this bicentennial, the state organized a torch relay to zig-zag across the 36,418 square miles of Indiana, unify communities and create “One Indiana.” The relay stopped in all […]

OYDC: Producing Leadership for Generations

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The 1964 Outstanding Young Dairy Couple, Harold and Lillian Gremel, with their three children Walter, Cathy and Marie. In 1950, MMPA realized the importance of shining the spotlight on a farm family who was progressive in their management practices, above average in their leadership skills and were pillars of their community. And so began the […]

Building Cooperative Longevity

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Centennial farms are scattered around the state and are prominently marked with green signs indicating the same family has been on that farm for at least 100 years. Greenstone Farm Credit Services is marking their 100th anniversary this year as they were established on July 17, 2016, when President Wilson signed the Federal Farm Loan […]

The 2016 Great Dairy Adventure, a Very ‘Dairy’ Education

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On a beautiful July morning, volunteers hustled to set up educational display areas for the 19th annual Great Dairy Adventure. Many of the volunteers are dairy farmers, milk haulers, or serve the dairy industry in multiple ways. They all have a story to tell: milk is wholesome, nutritious and pure. The Great Dairy Adventure is […]

100 Years in Three Words

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Walt Wosje and Elwood Kirkpatrick lead the way to cheese making with a partnership with Leprino Foods. Several leaders, past and present, were asked to offer three characteristics that describe MMPA and here’s what they said: “Integrity, stability and honesty.”- Deanna Stamp, retired board director. “Trust, transparency, dedication.” – Ken Nobis, board president. “Progressive, financially […]

The Birth of the MMPA 4-H Milk Marketing Tour

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In 1935, a select group of young men were chosen for the first time, to wake up early, hitch a ride on a milk route and follow the milk as it went from the farm to the consumer learning how milk was marketed. Coordinated between Michigan 4-H and MMPA, this was the birth of the […]

From “Butter Bees” to “Milk Life!”

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  Before “Got Milk?” Before “Three-A-Day.”  Before “Milk Life!” Before bumper stickers touting milk drinkers are better lovers and before influential athletes and Hollywood stars donned milk mustaches. Before June was declared Dairy month, milk promotion in Michigan was birthed out of a nutritional need and more profit potential through the Dairy Council in the […]

Shoulder to Shoulder

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“We issue this call to all milk producers in Michigan to gather at the Michigan Agricultural College, East Lansing, Room 402, Agricultural Building, on Tuesday, May 23, 1916, at 11 a.m.” The members of the Livingston County Milk Producers’ Association adopted a resolution and meeting notice and shared it with the world via pages of […]

Adversity Builds Character: The Fair Share Days

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“I hate it when a farmer says, ‘I’m just a farmer.’ This farmer doesn’t realize what he does for America, what he does for the economy and what he does for his family.  Farmers are very important. Where would we be without them?”– Former Senator Bob Dole. Just a group of farmers in Livingston County […]

100th Annual State Delegate Meeting

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At the 100th Annual State Delegate Meeting of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, the cooperative recognized one century of service to members. As MMPA builds upon its vision for the future, the cooperative reflects upon the defining moments of it collective history, recognizing the power of the past. The meeting was held on March 24 […]

MMPA Awards 10 Scholarships to MSU Dairy Management Students

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Since 1971, MMPA has sponsored scholarships for MMPA members, their children and employees enrolled in the Agricultural Technology Dairy Management program at Michigan State University. The scholarship program was initiated to encourage students to become involved in dairy production and management careers. The scholarships are based on academics, involvement in the dairy industry and letters […]

The Evolving Role of the Diva on the Dirt Road

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Women have been influential from the beginning of time.  Eve influenced Adam to take a bite of the forbidden fruit and the world as they knew it was turned upside down. Just as the diversification of women’s roles have evolved through history, the farmwife has woven her way into every level of leadership in the […]

And They Continued to Show Up…for 100 Years

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  It was 1919 and the third largest industry in the United States was dairy and the newly formed Michigan Milk Producers Association was getting ready for their third annual meeting to be held in East Lansing at the Michigan Agricultural College. The announcement of the meeting began with this: “Our vision of the battle […]

From Farm to Table in 100 Years

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Milk trucks are a fixture on the dirt roads and highways across the nation carrying a valuable, yet perishable product for farmers and consumers alike. Milk haulers are the link from the cow that produces that white, power packed nutritional punch to the consumer who enjoys it. Milk quality is unsurpassable in today’s market but […]

MSU Animal Agriculture Scientists Receive Over $600,000 in Grants

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Fifteen Michigan State University (MSU) researchers and Extension specialists have received more than $600,000 in grants to be used to help advance the state’s animal agriculture industry. The funds were awarded by the Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture (M-AAA), a partnership between Michigan’s animal agriculture industries, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the MSU College of Agriculture and […]

100 Years of Integrity, Dedication and Commitment

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One hundred years.  A century. Transforming from one millennium to the next. This time span can encompass several generations and engulf iconic changes in a civilization. From 1916 to 2016 that’s exactly what happened.  Generations passed, a new century was turned and changes in the landscape of the dairy industry went from slow and steady […]

Leaders’ Conference 2015

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Kicking off 2015-2016 Local Meetings, the 2015 Leaders’ Conference brought together MMPA leaders from all facets of the cooperative to the Michigan State University Kellogg Center in East Lansing on November 23. In addition to presentations by MMPA General Manager Joe Diglio and President Ken Nobis, MMPA welcomed Joel Mergler from Select Sires, Kelly Millenbah […]

Much Ado About Poo: MMPA Member Farms Exhibit Innovation in Manure Management

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Dairy farmers are cooking up something new—with their cow’s poo. Unpleasant to the nose, but a resource rich in crop nutrients, producers are seeking innovative methods to process manure and protect the environment. Eager to spread the word, Michigan State University Extension and the Clinton County Conservation District hosted Michigan Innovations in Agriculture’s 2015 tour […]

A Critical Balance: Negotiating the Optimal Farm Succession Plan

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Farmers know a thing or two about balancing multiple demands. The continual upkeep and success of a farm relies on juggling a wide breadth of activities. From milking to supervising employees to staying on top of industry and consumer demands, dairy farmers have well-practiced the daily balancing act. With an aging population of farmers, the […]

MMPA Secures Level 3 SQF Certification

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Everyone gets hungry. Hungry for a grilled cheese sandwich on a Sunday afternoon, hungry for a late night bowl of ice cream you don’t need but have anyway. But most of all, today’s consumers are also hungry for knowledge about where their food comes from. As consumers are seeking to become aware of where and […]

Farmers First: A Milk Hauler Tribute

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Whether a snowy winter day, warm summer night or Christmas morning, 45-year MMPA milk haulers Hank and Louise Northrop live by the mantra: no matter what, the milk has to be picked up. “There were days where I’d get up extra early to plow out my farms before starting my milk route,” Hank recalls. “Our […]

Cooperation Among Cooperatives: Reverse Osmosis (RO) Adds 1 Million Pounds of Processing Capacity to MMPA Constantine Plant

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On December 4, just four months after approval from the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) board of directors, the first full load of raw milk concentrate left the MMPA Constantine Plant, destined for a Foremost Farms USA cheese plant in Wisconsin. Processed by a reverse osmosis (RO) system owned by Foremost Farms and housed and operated by MMPA, the load marked a new chapter in MMPA […]