NEWS & VIEWS

Dr. Joe Domecq

Help establish a named MDMSF endowment to recognize Dr. Joe Domecq

A dairy industry driven effort is underway to help raise $50,000 to establish a named endowment through the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation (MDMSF) to recognize Dr. Joe Domecq’s lifelong service to the dairy industry. The endowment will provide financial support to students participating in dairy judging and the dairy management programs at MSU.

Many MMPA members are familiar with Dr. Domecq (pictured at left) and may have worked with him in some capacity over the years in his role as Coordinator of the Ag Tech Dairy Management program and dairy judging team coach. In addition to these responsibilities Dr. Domecq currently serves as the new Coordinator of Dairy Education within the MSU Department of Animal Science which will provide an opportunity for students to gain practical, hands-on skills and knowledge needed to succeed in many of the career opportunities that are available in the dairy industry. The goal of the fundraising effort is to establish an endowment within the MDMSF and when fully funded at $50,000, the intention would be to utilize the funds generated each year to provide support to students participating in dairy judging and dairy management programs at MSU. The establishment of the endowment is meant to recognize Dr. Domecq’s many years of dedicated service to dairy youth and the dairy industry by providing a continued source of financial support to two key dairy programs at MSU that Dr. Domecq has helped grow in support of the dairy industry.

THE MICHIGAN DAIRY MEMORIAL AND SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION IS THE LARGEST SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IN THE MSU COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES. THANKS TO GENEROUS DONORS, MDMSF PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUALLY TO WORTHY MSU STUDENTS WITH PLANS TO ADVANCE THE FUTURE OF THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

TO CONTRIBUTE, VISIT: GIVINGTO.MSU.EDU/GIFT/?SID=9436

Intern Spotlights

Faith Adam

Faith Adam

Hometown: Goshen, Indiana

Schooling: Purdue University Food Science Junior

Dream Job: Running a wine and cheese business, building a creamery, or working in a lab.

What led you to interning at MMPA?

Having grown up on a dairy farm, I have always had a huge interest in the dairy industry and in dairy products. While pursuing my degree, it became more and more evident that I wanted to see the inner workings at a dairy manufacturing food plant. What better place to learn than the place that my family sends their milk to?

What was the most rewarding experience as an intern at MMPA?

The most rewarding experience during my internship was being able to help the Constantine plant with environmental monitoring and presenting my findings to MMPA President & CEO Joe Diglio, and the management team. For environmental monitoring at Constantine, I took over 70 pictures of different environmental zones all throughout the plant with descriptions for each picture and an explanation of how to properly perform an environmental monitoring test for lab tech training.

What do you like most about working in the dairy industry?

What I like most about the dairy industry is that we're all like family. We all want each other to succeed, we are very team-oriented and we are always willing to help each other out whether it be the dairy farmers, the people working at the plants, or the people working in office jobs.

Monika Dziuba

Monika Dziuba

Hometown: Riverview, Michigan

Schooling: Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2023 Dream Job: Staff veterinarian for a group of dairy farms and dairy farm consulting

What experiences did you gain as an intern at MMPA?

In my previous experiences and in school, I have focused a lot on the harvesting of milk from the cow. As an intern with MMPA, I was able to focus on the work that goes into taking that harvested milk from the bulk tank, turning it into a safe and healthy product, and rewarding farmers for the work that they put into making that product.

What was the most exciting/rewarding experience as an intern at MMPA?

The most rewarding experience as an intern was being able to work with and assist dairy farmers in a different setting than just when they call the vet out. I also really enjoyed meeting all the field reps and people that I did within the MMPA company, as it was remarkable to see the important role that each person has in keeping our farms viable and profitable.

What do you like most about working in the dairy industry?

I love working in the dairy industry because of the amazing and hard-working families that embody it. I also enjoy being a part of an industry that provides a great product to families throughout Michigan and across the country.

Hank Choate

District 1 Director Hank Choate Retires, Brian Preston to Complete Term

After serving on the MMPA board of directors since 2012, District 1 Director Hank Choate retired after selling his cows in August. MMPA is grateful for his years of service to the cooperative and the impact he has had on the Michigan agriculture industry.

Delegates from District 1 voted in a special election and selected Brian Preston of Quincy, Michigan to complete Choate's three-year term.