On Thursday, October 17, the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Alexis Taylor, for a Women in Agriculture Roundtable.
Under Secretary Taylor led a discussion at MMPA’s Novi, Michigan, headquarters with over a dozen of women in leadership roles within Michigan’s agriculture community. The session highlighted USDA programs and resources that support U.S. agricultural exports and served as a platform to discuss key issues impacting women in agriculture.
“We were honored to host Under Secretary Taylor and engage in meaningful conversations with women leaders in agriculture,” said Joe Diglio, MMPA President and CEO. “The discussion not only showcased the importance of USDA’s programs, but also emphasized the critical role women play in advancing agriculture industries.”
MMPA is proud to have 50% of their senior leadership team and 28% of their total leadership roles filled by women and recognizes the importance of gender diversity in driving success. MMPA’s commitment to fostering inclusivity extends across every level of the cooperative, with 27% of their over 600 employees identifying as female. MMPA is committed to making business decisions that positively impact their members, employees, stakeholders and communities they live and work in.
This roundtable was part of USDA’s efforts to promote the United Nations’ designation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Under Secretary Taylor’s visit to MMPA is part of her nationwide tour to engage with agricultural leaders and promote the contributions of women to the industry’s future.