NEWS & VIEWS

MMPA Awards Scholarships to Michigan State University and Purdue University Students

Two students at Michigan State University and one student at Purdue University were awarded scholarships, thanks to the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA). As a long-time supporter of dairy education, MMPA annually sponsors scholarships for members, their children and employees enrolled at Michigan State University (MSU), Ohio State University and Purdue University.

For the 2021-2022 academic year, MMPA awarded three scholarships, totaling $5,500, based on academics, involvement in the dairy industry and letters of recommendation. The scholarship fund aims to assist students pursuing a career in the dairy industry.

“MMPA is working to make the future of Michigan’s dairy industry even stronger than it is today by supporting the education of future dairy industry leaders. These scholarships encourage the next generation to equip themselves with new skills and pursue careers in the dairy industry following graduation,” said Joe Diglio, MMPA President and CEO.

MSU scholarships available are for students enrolled in the Dairy Management Program. According to the MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology, the program delivers innovative, educational programs that develop career ready graduates through intensive, practical learning and skill enhancement. The Purdue University scholarships are available for a student at Purdue University who is a member or the child of a member of MMPA enrolled in an agriculture related major.

Scholarship applications for the 2022-2023 academic year are due Sept. 1 for the MSU scholarships. For the Purdue University scholarship, applications are due Jan. 1 for freshmen students and due Feb. 1 for current students. Efforts are underway to launch a scholarship at The Ohio State University for members or a child of an MMPA member enrolled in an agriculture-related major. Details of the scholarship will be placed on the MMPA website when the scholarship is launched.

In continuation of MMPA’s efforts to support youth development and education, MMPA is a supporter of the Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership program and the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation.

Scholarship Recipients:

• Tyler Klopfenstein, Galien, MI, MSU First Year Employee, Scholarship Recipient

• Rachael Bosse, Moline, MI, MSU Second Year Employee, Scholarship Recipient

• Miriam Cook, Pewamo, MI, Purdue Scholarship

MMPA is working to make the future of Michigan’s dairy industry even stronger than it is today by supporting the education of future dairy industry leaders. These scholarships encourage the next generation to equip themselves with new skills and pursue careers in the dairy industry following graduation.

MMPA Distributes Cash Patronage Refunds

MMPA recently paid $1.1 million in cash patronage refunds to its dairy farmer member-owners. This cash allocation represents 100 percent of the Farm Supply earnings and 25 percent of the milk marketing earnings. All members who marketed milk through MMPA for fiscal year 2021 received a portion of the allocation.

Cash patronage funds and equity allocations are based on the amount of milk each individual member farm marketed and on the supplies purchased through the cooperative during the year in which the earnings were achieved. Under the current board policy, the non-cash balance of the equity allocation will be revolved back to the members in future years.

This payment, in combination with the additional $3.2 million allocated to Equity Capital Retains, resulted in a total $4.3 million allocated to members from business conducted in fiscal year 2021.

2022 Milk Check Deposit Dates (Updated)

April 18 and 26

May 17 and 26

June 17 and 27

July 18 and 26

August 17 and 26

September 16 and 26

October 17 and 26

November 17 and 25

December 16 and 27