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DAIRY COMMUNICATORS: DECADES OF DEVOTION TO DAIRY PROMOTION
The MMPA Dairy Communicator program is an on-going effort of approximately 60 members in the Great Lakes region. Elected members of a Local work diligently to speak out and communicate on behalf of dairy farmers in their Local area. Dairy Communicators are involved in a wide variety of Local promotion activities including farm tours, engaging with local schools and engaging with consumers in person and online. The Dairy Communicators recently met for a virtual meeting on June 15 to swap promotion ideas and recognize service award winners.
Cheri Chapin
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Cheri & Doug Chapin, Chapin Family Farms, Remus, Michigan
Became involved in dairy farming: 1979
Became a Dairy Communicator: 1986
What do you enjoy most about being part of the dairy community? I love being a part of the dairy community. Farmers are the most honest, genuine and compassionate people. We produce, in my opinion, the most wholesome and nutritious product in the world.
How has the MMPA Dairy Communicator program helped you promote dairy? Being an MMPA Dairy Communicator has given me access to educational and promotional materials, but more importantly, the ability to contact the right people when I have questions. It has helped me become a more confident advocate for dairy.
What is your favorite dairy promotion memory? Farm tours for school children have been my favorite promotion. Though aimed at children, I know the adults enjoyed it as well, and learned a lot!
What advice would you share with someone starting their dairy promotion journey? There is no such thing as a small promotion; it is all worthwhile.
Geraldine Emmons
Geraldine & Neree Emmons, Emmons Farms, Fayette, Ohio
Became involved in dairy farming: 1962
Became a Dairy Communicator: 1986
What do you enjoy most about being part of the dairy community? The community is very close. There’s a dairy family.
How has the MMPA Dairy Communicator program helped you promote dairy? Through the yearly meeting I would always get new promotion ideas. MMPA has provided promotion material and helped with my projects.
What is your favorite dairy promotion memory? Breakfast on the Farm Fulton County was my favorite event. I was able to move a lot of promotion material. Other projects I have worked on are Give a Pint, Get a Pint with the Red Cross, Ag Awareness Days at the Adrian Mall and promotions at my Local meeting.
What advice would you share with someone starting their dairy promotion journey? Get some help. The first year at the mall, I had the display, and needed to be there the whole time. From then on, I had signup sheets, so I didn’t have to stay the whole time.
2021 DAIRY COMMUNICATOR SERVICE AWARDS
35 YEARS
CHERI CHAPIN, ALMA LOCAL
GERALDINE EMMONS, ADRIAN LOCAL
20 YEARS
CONNIE LUCAS, HILLMAN LOCAL
JOY MARVIN, ADRIAN LOCAL
15 YEARS
VIRGINIA ANKLEY, MID THUMB LOCAL
SHELLY MESSING, HURON LOCAL
10 YEARS
AMY MARTIN, EVART LOCAL
MARIA MARVIN, ADRIAN LOCAL
JODY SHARRARD, MID-SANILAC LOCAL
5 YEARS
CYNTHIA ADAM, CONSTANTINE LOCAL
ASHLEY MESSING KENNEDY, HURON LOCAL
MICHELLE LUCAS, HILLMAN LOCAL
DIANE MILLER, CHIPPEWA LOCAL
KATELYN PACKARD, SALINE-ANN ARBOR LOCAL
