Recognition highlights MMPA’s efforts to prioritize safety and foster excellence in all of the cooperative’s operations.
NOVI, Mich. — Last week, the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) plant in Constantine, Michigan, received an International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) safety award for outstanding worker safety. This marks the second consecutive year that the Constantine plant has earned this distinction, achieving a significant milestone of three years without a lost-time accident, exemplifying excellence in workplace safety.
“Constantine’s impressive achievements are a testament to the facility’s management and employees’ commitment to safety,” said Kelly Kerrigan, MMPA’s Human Resources Director. “We value a culture of safety in our workplaces, and this award reflects the dedication and hard work of our team.”
The annual Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Awards program, co-sponsored by IDFA and Dairy Foods magazine, honors U.S. dairy facilities and trucking operations for their exceptional worker safety standards. Applicants are evaluated based on occupational injury and illness performance rates, showcasing the dairy industry’s dedication to prioritizing the safety of both its people and products. MMPA was one of 23 dairy companies recognized during this year’s award program.
In 2022, MMPA’s Middlebury, Indiana, plant received the same recognition from IDFA for employee safety. MMPA’s continued success in receiving these recognitions highlights the cooperative’s ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of its workforce. By prioritizing safety, MMPA fosters excellence in all aspects of its operations.
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.
Pictured from L-R: Omid McDonald, Founder & CEO, Dairy Distillery; John Berge, Acting Deputy Administrator, United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Services Agency; Doug Chapin, Board Chairman, Michigan Milk Producers Association; Joe Diglio, President & CEO, Michigan Milk Producers Association; Mark Honeysett, Village Manager, Village of Constantine; Brenda Stewart, Regional Senior Business Development Manager, Michigan Economic Development Corporation; Nate Engle, Director of Community Engagement, Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development; and Steve Carra, 36th District State Representative, Michigan House of Representatives.
“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.
An artist’s rendering of the upcoming Dairy Distillery Alliance facility in southwest Michigan. This $41 million plant will convert milk permeate, a dairy byproduct, into 2.2 million gallons of ethanol annually, significantly reducing carbon emissions and advancing sustainability in the dairy industry.
“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.”
Partnership will build a low carbon ethanol plant in southwest Michigan to add needed biofuel supply and help lower the dairy industry’s carbon footprint.
NOVI, Michigan – Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) and Canadian Dairy Distillery announced a joint initiative that will transform a dairy byproduct into the world’s lowest carbon-intensity ethanol, adding to the biofuel supply for cars and trucks.
Ontario-based Dairy Distillery developed technology to transform a lactose-rich dairy byproduct, called milk permeate into vodka, aptly named Vodkow. This high value use of milk permeate caught the attention of MMPA whose Constantine, MI facility produces 14,000 tonnes a year that’s being used for animal feed. Looking to create more value for its dairy farmer members, MMPA partnered with Dairy Distillery to build a plant to process its milk permeate into 2.2 million gallons of ethanol. When blended with transportation fuel, the permeate ethanol will offset 14,500 tonnes of carbon a year. This offset will reduce the carbon footprint of the milk processed at Constantine by 5%.
“I’ve been inspired by MMPA dairy farmers and their commitment to sustainability. Using a milk byproduct to reduce the carbon footprint of dairy is an innovation that will make a significant contribution to MMPA’s net zero carbon emissions goal.” explains Dairy Distillery CEO Omid McDonald.
Ethanol production at the $41 million ethanol plant is planned for early 2025. The project received $2.5 million in funding from the Michigan Strategic Fund, showing the state’s commitment to the future of clean energy.
“Constructing an ethanol-processing plant at the Constantine facility compliments our focus on sustainability and provides a progressive, unique opportunity to utilize new technologies that add value to our current processing operations while further diversifying the markets we currently serve,” MMPA President and CEO Joe Diglio said. “It’s exciting to see innovative solutions such as this facility, which lead to growth and success for our members, employees, stakeholders and our communities.”
“Projects like these are a prime example of the diversity and strength of our dairy industry and demonstrates the Whitmer Administration’s commitment to growing agriculture businesses in Michigan,” said Tim Boring, director, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “In 2022, MDARD provided a $100,000 Value-Added Grant to the Michigan Milk Producers Association and Dairy Distillery in this first of its kind venture. The department is proud to support business expansion with multi-pronged benefits – creates good-paying local jobs; opens up new markets for Michigan’s farmers to continue to thrive; lowers carbon footprints; and reduces the overall waste stream. I hope this serves as a model for others into the future.”
Recognition highlights MMPA’s efforts to prioritize safety and foster excellence in all of the cooperative’s operations. 
