Author: Jessi-Ryah Cordova

MMPA Captures Win in NMPF’s Annual Communications Contest

Posted on by Jessi-Ryah Cordova

Dairy Farmers of America’s Windemuller Wins Farmer Communicator of the Year

Michigan Milk Producers Association received the honor of Cooperative Communicator of the Year in the National Milk Producers Federation’s annual cooperative communications contest, winning five categories and a ‘Best of Show’ award in the Writing category. Dairy Farmers of America’s farmer-member Paul Windemuller received NMPF’s Farmer Communicator of the Year award.

MMPA also took six second place finishes and three third place finishes in the competition, which recognizes the top communications efforts among NMPF’s member cooperatives. The Best of Show: Writing award was given for its informational feature, “The Low Down on FMMOs.”

“The feature did a great job of simplifying a very complex topic by taking the time to explain to readers what FMMOs are, along with other basic principles,” the competition reviewer wrote. “The piece explained the importance of why this issue matters from multiple audience perspectives. It was a very well-written feature on such a prevalent issue in the industry.”

Windemuller was recognized for his active presence in social media and other platforms, serving as a catalyst for consumer curiosity by sharing real-life stories from the farm. Windemuller is an active member for DFA, participating in both its Young Cooperator program and Emerging Leaders program. He also serves as a DFA content creator, enabling farmers to create authentic social media content that highlights the good story of dairy farming. One of Paul’s clips, 3 Types of Tech on the Farm, has more than 445,000 views and 300+ comments on his dairy’s Instagram account.

Paul also hosts his own podcast, AgCulture, sharing anecdotal experiences, insights and innovations in the agricultural space. With nearly 100 episodes, Paul has hosted many notable guests from the United States and worldwide, covering topics including risk management strategies, social media, farm succession planning, the future of organic farming, and more.

“As a hardworking dairy farmer with six children, we don’t know how Paul finds the time to also be such a strong advocate for dairy,” his nomination notes. “His efforts are much appreciated across the industry. He is respected by his peers, and on a path to continue informing the agriculture industry and beyond.”

Paul, along with his wife, Brittany, are first-generation dairy farmers who own and operate Dream Winds Dairy in Coopersville, MI, where they milk approximately 260 cows with a robotic milking system.

The “Best of Show” award is selected from the first-place entries in the contest’s main areas: publication, writing, graphics and special projects. In addition to MMPA’s recognition in the writing category, Dairy Farmers of America won the publications category for its “Life on the Farm” special report and in graphics for its smartphone photo, “Caught in the Glow”; Associated Milk Producers Inc. won the special projects category with its Dinner Bell Creamery promotional video, “Meet Our Farmers: The Siewert Family.”

Winners were announced at today’s meeting of NMPF member cooperative communicators. All the winners will also be recognized at NMPF’s annual meeting, Nov. 10-11 in Arlington, TX. A full list of the winners of the NMPF communications contest, which received 102 entries from 11 member cooperatives, can be found here.

School Meals Are Missing Whole Milk

Posted on by Jessi-Ryah Cordova

The National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs play an important role in promoting the consumption of healthy foods, including dairy. But school meal rules in effect since 2012 only allow 1% and fat-free milk options. NMPF’s Miquela Hanselman says the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act currently before Congress would give kids even more choices for the nutrition they need.

NMPF Names Four Dairy Scholarship Winners

Posted on by Jessi-Ryah Cordova

Four graduate students researching in areas that benefit dairy cooperatives and farmers are receiving scholarships as part of the 2025 NMPF National Dairy Leadership Scholarship Program, with one being honored through a scholarship created this year. Recipients include:

Dallas Soffa, a doctoral candidate in Physiology of Reproduction in Animal Science at Texas A&M. Soffa’s research explores the hormonal influence on reproductive microbiota and immune cell signaling in cattle.

Margaret Costello, a doctoral candidate in Animal & Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on integrating emerging sequencing technology and non-invasive sampling techniques with rumen microbiome research to address key industry concerns.

Marina Rocha Dorella, a master’s student in Animal Science at the University of Minnesota. Her research explores enhancing dairy industry sustainability through precision dairy technology, more specifically, optimizing hyperketonemia treatment efficiency and labor allocation.

The committee also selected a student to receive the newly created Dr. Peter Vitaliano Legacy Scholarship. The scholarship, created in March, supports individuals who demonstrate a passion for the industry through community engagement, academic interests and advocacy. This year’s scholarship was awarded to:

Maria Belen Ugarte Marin, a doctoral candidate in Veterinary Medical Sciences at the University of Florida studying the identification of detrimental milking characteristics and their association with dairy farm performance. Maria’s dedication to mentorship, serving as a teaching assistant, and overall passion for supporting the next generation embodies the vision for dairy leadership by Dr. Vitaliano, who retired from NMPF last year after nearly four decades as an economist with the organization.

“Congratulations to each recipient of this year’s National Dairy Leadership Scholarships,” said NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud. “We are proud to continue to focus on the future of the industry by supporting these young professionals in their endeavors. Farmers can be confident in their investment in education and the next generation of dairy leaders.”

NMPF’s Board of Directors confirmed the recipients as part of NMPF’s Board of Directors meeting held in Arlington, VA, June 10-11. To learn more about and contribute to the NMPF National Dairy Leadership Scholarship program, please visit the scholarship website.

FARM Program Boosts Biosecurity

Posted on by Jessi-Ryah Cordova

Good biosecurity plans are more vital than ever to keep foreign animal diseases out of the nation’s livestock. NMPF Director of Regulatory Affairs Miquela Hanselman shared updates on the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program’s Biosecurity program area. FARM held its first live training April 30-May 1 to educate cooperative field staff and state officials on best management practices for on-farm biosecurity. “With this training, we’re just trying to get more people trained to be able to put those plans together for farmers so that we’re ready should an outbreak ever occur,” Hanselman said.

NMPF Board of Directors Announces Vitaliano Legacy Scholarship

Posted on by Jessi-Ryah Cordova

The National Milk Producers Federation announced today the creation of the Dr. Peter Vitaliano Legacy Scholarship as part of the National Dairy Leadership Scholarship Program. The award will be used to help support a student who demonstrates attributes exemplified by Dr. Vitaliano to honor his longtime commitment to the success of U.S. dairy producers and cooperatives.

“NMPF and the NMPF Board of Directors are honored to establish the Dr. Peter Vitaliano Legacy Scholarship,” said NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud. “This commitment embodies his passion for education and commitment to making a difference in the dairy industry. We are recognizing Peter’s legacy and investing in the pipeline of future leaders.”

The program also hopes to raise $500,000 this year for an endowment to support the longevity of the program, including this new legacy scholarship.

Vitaliano served as the Vice President of Economic Policy and Market Research for NMPF through 2024, leading efforts in implementing, conducting and communicating all economic analysis supporting the Federation’s programs relating to domestic and international dairy policy. He has extensive experience with, and knowledge of, U.S. dairy markets and domestic and international agricultural and trade policy.

Since 1992, he served as project director for numerous contracts between NMPF and the various national dairy promotion organizations, including the National Dairy Research and Promotion Board, Dairy Management, Inc., and the U.S. Dairy Export Council, conducting market information and economic research relating to domestic and international dairy markets.

“This scholarship is more than just financial support; it is a commitment to nurturing the dreams and aspirations of future generations of dairy leaders,” said Chris Kraft, NMPF scholarship committee chairman and a member of NMPF’s Board of Directors, representing Dairy Farmers of America. “By investing in the future of dairy, we are not only honoring the achievements of those who came before but also paving the way for those who will come next.”

The scholarship is designed to support individuals who demonstrate a passion for the industry through community engagement, academic interests and advocacy. Individuals selected for the Vitaliano Legacy Scholarship will also demonstrate experience with mentoring, coaching, or teaching.

The Vitaliano Legacy Scholarship will be available to applicants in the 2025-26 application cycle. To find out more information, or to donate, please visit the scholarship webpage.