Darren and Regina Coffey

Darren and Regina Coffey, from Allegan, were selected as the 2015 Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators (OYDC) Runners-Up after the 65th OYDC Conference August 13-14. As OYDC Runners-up, they will serve as nationwide MMPA ambassadors attending various meetings and conferences.


Darren and Regina Coffey, of Allegan, were recently designated as the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators (OYDC) Runners-Up.

The Coffeys were one of 10 cooperators invited to attend the OYDC Conference held August 13-14. The couple was selected to participate in the program earlier this year by fellow dairy farmers in their local and the MMPA State Nominating Committee.

Darren and Regina operate Rolling Acres Dairy Farm where they milk 750 cows and farm 1,600 acres. The Coffeys are active Farm Bureau members, with Darren serving as a board member for nine years and Regina serving on the Promotion and Education Committee for four years. Regina has also served as the PTA president and a Girl Scouts leader. They are members of MMPA's West Michigan Local in District 3.

Each year, one couple or individual is selected during the OYDC Conference to represent MMPA at various industry and association activities. Shawn and Beth VanDrie of Lake City were selected as the state winning 2015 OYDCs. Selection of the OYDC is based on the applicant's farming operations, farm-related and community activities and demonstrated leadership abilities.

"The OYDC program identifies outstanding young leaders in our organization and provides an opportunity for them to gain a greater understanding of milk marketing activities and MMPA," says Ken Nobis, MMPA president.

The state OYDC Conference, held at MMPA headquarters in Novi, provides participants with information about milk marketing activities, cooperatives, milk testing procedures and other current events within the dairy industry. The program has been held annually the past 65 years. This year's program featured the Top Ten OYDCs selected by the State Nominating Committee from a pool of applicants nominated by their local.

All Top 10 MMPA OYDCs will be officially recognized at MMPA's 100th Annual Meeting to be held March 24, 2016 in Lansing.

MMPA, established in 1916, is a member-owned and operated cooperative serving approximately 2,000 dairy farmers in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana.

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8.28.2015