Visits from Ron Kind, Jim Mulhern provide members with a voice, share insight on international trade agreement
Members of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative gathered for their third annual meeting on Feb. 13-14 in Onalaska, Wis. to discuss critical industry issues and ways to enhance their farm's bottom line in addition to providing direction for the cooperative's leaders.
This year's annual meeting included a visit from the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) CEO and President, Jim Mulhern, who spoke to the group about national and international policy issues, including geographical indicators, trade agreements and the status of the global dairy market.
"Dairy farmers and processors here in Wisconsin and surrounding Midwest states have a great deal riding on the outcomes of the TPP trade negotiations, and this leadership from the state's Congressional delegation is key to helping ensure our farmers get a fair deal," says Mulhern.
Mulhern also spoke about NMPF's National FARM (Farmer's Reassuring Responsible Management) program, which was established to enhance consumer confidence regarding the animal welfare practices on dairy farms across the country.
"Consumers are genuinely concerned about animal care on farms, and expectations have risen across the food chain in recent years," notes Mulhern. "The FARM program was established to demonstrate the good care dairy farmers commit to providing their animals."
The delegates at the annual meeting were fortunate enough to also receive a visit from Congressman Ron Kind, representing his district from western Wisconsin. His involvement with the Ways and Means Subcommittee has been influential in helping move these trade agreements to the forefront of policy priorities.
"We thank Rep. Kind for his continued efforts on behalf of dairy farmers, helping explain the importance of the trade talks to U.S. officials currently engaged in negotiations," says Mulhern. "Rep. Kind has even hosted U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman on a dairy farm here in Wisconsin last August to drive home how important international sales are to Wisconsin's dairy industry. His dedication is evident, and we applaud his efforts."
This year's annual meeting theme was Partnering to Build a Better Industry' which seemed very fitting for this year's guest speakers.
"It is an honor to have Ron Kind and Jim Mulhern speak to our membership," says David Cooper, General Manager of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative. "Their message here today echoes the theme of our annual meeting of partnering together to build a better industry. Indeed, it is necessary for cooperation and collaboration on these larger issues in order to achieve true success."
The business meeting included recognition of the past year's scholarship recipients, which included 30 individuals being awarded over $26,000. Thirteen individuals thanked the delegation personally during the business meeting for making youth and higher education one of the cooperative's priorities.
Cooper addressed the delegation by sharing his gratitude of the members and the valuable relationships that make the dairy industry strong.
"There has always been a sense of partnership of working together to get the job done. The dairy industry has changed a lot over the years, and will continue to change a lot more in the years ahead, but how we work together doesn't need to change if there is a commitment to dedication, hard work, honesty and integrity," says Cooper.
The official start of the annual meeting for FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative began the day before with its Producer Discovery workshops in the afternoon. Sandy Stuttgen from UW-Extension in Taylor County kicked off the workshop series discussing the importance of maintaining quality meat when culling dairy cattle, and the considerations that should be made when evaluating their body conditioning. Alan Levitt, Vice-President of Communications with the U.S. Dairy Export Council, gave a fresh perspective on global dairy exports, reminding producers of the dairy factors involved with the overall milk price and how that may affect future month's milk prices. Carol Magurany-Brotski from the National Farm Medicine Center ended the workshop series by sharing several statistics regarding farm safety and how small oversights can cause major accidents, for family members and farm visitors.
At the Friday evening banquet, board members that had retired this past year were recognized, including Bernie Vander Heiden of Kaukauna, Wis., Randy Peterson of Wilson, Wis., and Francis Cherney of Milladore, Wis. Jim Bird was also awarded the Meritorious Service award in recognition of all his years and dedication to the cooperative and it's predecessors in addition to the dairy industry as a whole. Jim Bird retired from FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative this past year, marking the end of his career of over four decades of advocacy and policy reform in the dairy industry.
"It's been a great experience," says Bird, thinking back on all his years and friends in the industry. "We've accomplished a lot of things and helped a lot of people through some tough times. That's what it's all about."
Another exciting aspect to this year's FarmFirst annual meeting includes the inaugural meeting of the Young Cooperator Steering Committee. This group of individuals is primed to start several new initiatives and host events for other young members to get involved in the cooperative. Interested members should contact the office to learn more.
Established in 2013, FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, based in Madison, Wis., is the largest dairy marketing cooperative in the Midwest. Dedicated to its family farm members, the cooperative represents nearly 5,000 farms in Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana through policy bargaining, dairy marketing services, laboratory testing opportunities and industry promotion. Learn more about FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative by visiting: www.FarmFirstDairyCooperative.com. 2.20.2015