National Milk Producers Federation

National Milk Producers Federation members and staff organized the National Young Cooperator (YC) Program in 1950. The purpose of the National YC Program is to educate and build leadership ability in young dairy farmers. In order to develop this leadership, YCs must first gain a better understanding of the needs and problems facing milk marketing cooperatives. The result is educated, articulate young people who will provide the future direction for the dairy industry.

An educational program for young dairy producers is essential for the growth and advancement of the industry. Leadership development is encouraged and recognized at the local and the national levels. Many of the leaders of the dairy industry have participated in the Young Cooperator Program.

Most of NMPF's member dairy cooperatives sponsor YC programs. YCs are selected from each cooperative to attend the National YC Leadership Development Program, held in conjunction with NMPF's Annual Meeting each year.

YC Leadership Development Program: Representatives from each of our participating member cooperatives have the opportunity to participate in the national YC activities and attend NMPF's annual convention. The National YC Leadership Development Program is held in conjunction with NMPF's Annual Meeting and includes timely topics of interest to dairy farmers of all ages.

YC Age Requirements: The Young Cooperator Program is designed for dairy producers 40 years of age and younger. No dairy farmer will be denied attendance at YC meetings due to age. However, to serve as a representative of a member cooperative or as a national YC officer, a young farmer may not have reached his or her 41st birthday on January 1st following the annual meeting. If running as a couple, the age requirement applies to the younger spouse.

Photo: NMPF YC Council 2010

Front row (left to right): Kara Burkholder, Natasha Schoenberg, Name Unavailable, Summer Werth, Lisa Burken, Sadie Frericks

Back row: Greg Peracchio, Aaron Olson, Clint Burkholder, Craig Schoenberg, Allen & Kim VanHofwegen, Jill & Terry Hauser, Russ Klein, Jeremy Werth, Marty Burken, Colorado Robertson

Not shown: Mike & Mary Lummus, Aaron & Kirsten Allen

YC Council 2010

Martin & Lisa Burken
Chaircouple
Swiss Valley Farms

Terry & Jill Hauser
Vice Chaircouple
Dairy Farmers of America

Glen & Sadie Frericks
Secretary
Land O’Lakes, Inc

G. Aaron & Kristen Allen
Dairylea Cooperative

Clint & Kara Burkholder
Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Coop Assoc

Russ Klein
Upstate Niagara Cooperative

Mike & Mary Lummus
Tillamook Cooperative Creamery

Aaron Olson
Northwest Dairy Association

Gregory Peracchio
Agri-Mark, Inc.

Colorado Robertson
Dairy Farmers of America

Craig & Natasha Schoenberg
Prairie Farms

Kim & Allan VanHofwegen
United Dairymen of Arizona

Jeremy & Summer Werth
Michigan Milk Producers Assoc

For questions about the National Milk Producers Federation's Young Cooperator Program, please contact: