NEWS & VIEWS
Coronavirus (COVID-19) In light of the spread of coronavirus, or COVID-19, MMPA is committed to protecting the health and well-being of our communities, while ensuring we continue to market members’ milk to the greatest advantage possible. As we continue to monitor the situation, MMPA is following recommendations from national and state government agencies, adjusting event schedules, and further sanitizing and securing our locations to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please refer MMPA’s continued communication through email, social media and the Member Connection for more information as the situation evolves.
MMPA to donate 2,020 pounds of milk per day in 2020 At the recent 104th Annual State Delegate Meeting, MMPA announced a donation of 2,020 pounds of milk per day to the Food Bank Council of Michigan in 2020. A total of over 85,000 gallons of milk, the donation is MMPA’s largest and an effort to support the one out of every seven Michigan residents struggling with hunger. Processing and packaging of the milk was donated by Kroger’s Michigan Dairy plant. In total, MMPA has donated over 333,000 gallons of milk since 2015 to supply food banks across Michigan with fresh milk from MMPA dairy farmer members.
10
milk messenger / MAR-APR 2020
2019 Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship Winners Announced 2020 Michigan Dairy Ambassadors look ahead to a year of dairy promotion The Dairy Ambassadors began their year with a day-long leadership training on Feb. 7 in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Led by Welch and Bridget Moore, Industry Relations Specialist at the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, the ambassadors were guided through engagement activities and challenged to try new things such as starting conversations with new people.
BACKROW (L TO R): IAN BLACK OF EAGLE, MICHIGAN; JONATHAN SAYLES OF BAY CITY, MICHIGAN MIDDLE ROW (L TO R): ANNA MOSER OF DANSVILLE, MICHIGAN; ABBY VANDYK OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN; MADISON HALFMAN OF ST. JOHNS, MICHIGAN FRONT ROW (L TO R): ELYSE ZIMMERLEE OF BELLEVUE, MICHIGAN; BRYNNEN GARDNER OF BELMONT, MICHIGAN; ADALEE THELEN OF ST. JOHNS, MICHIGAN
S
ix Michigan youth were named Michigan Dairy Ambassadors after gathering at the 2020 Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference for leadership training, commencing a year of dairy promotion and outreach in Michigan. The program welcomes students in high school and college to hone in on their skills and learn how to communicate about their passion in dairy. “The Michigan Dairy Ambassador program gives youth with a special interest in dairy the opportunity to connect with consumers and share their ‘dairy story,’” said Jessica Welch, a member of the Dairy Ambassador planning team and MMPA member relations coordinator. “Our goal is to equip each Michigan Dairy Ambassador with the communication skills and tools to represent the dairy community and industry in a positive way.”
Ambassadors will take part in further trainings and represent the dairy industry at promotional and outreach events throughout the year. Next up for the ambassadors is a communications training at UDIM and representation at industry events throughout the year, including Dairy Day at the Capitol, Michigan Livestock Expo Sale‐abration, Michigan 4‐H Dairy Days Awards Banquet, Breakfast on the Farm and the MMPA Leaders’ Conference. 2019 Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship recipients were announced at this year’s recognition night. The senior scholarship was awarded to Brynnen Gardner of Belmont, Michigan and the junior scholarship was awarded to Jonathan Sayles of Bay City, Michigan.
2020 Michigan Dairy Ambassadors JUNIOR AMBASSADORS Madison Halfman, St. Johns Anna Moser, Dansville Adalee Thelen, St. Johns Abby VanDyk, Kalamazoo Katelynn Webster, Barryton SENIOR AMBASSADOR Elyse Zimmerlee, Bellevue
