VOL. 104
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Milk Messenger (USPS # 345-320) is published bimonthly by the Michigan Milk Producers Association, 41310 Bridge Street, Novi, MI 48376-8002. Periodicals postage paid at Novi and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Milk Messenger, PO Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002. President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Diglio Managing Editor Sheila Burkhardt, Senior Director of Member and Government Relations
Editor’s Note BY ALLISON STUBY MILLER
2022 is poised to be an invigorating year for MMPA. We are welcoming in three new business units with the acquisition of LEL Operating Company’s subsidiaries, including Superior Dairy. With the new location in northeast Ohio, our presence in the Great Lakes region and beyond is growing. We are approaching the Annual Meeting in March and preparing to share our Annual Report with members, both centered around the theme of “Taking Charge of Change.” MMPA leaders look forward to sharing what this theme means to all our stakeholders, including members, employees and customers in th coming weeks.
On the Cover I recently had the opportunity to tour MMPA’s newest facility in Canton, Ohio, which is the home of Superior Dairy. We breezed past blow molds forming the signature caseless milk jugs, vats of cottage cheese and tubs being filled with sour cream. This issue brings you into the plant with us with an in-depth feature about the 100-year old Superior Dairy on page 16.
In this Issue MMPA will soon bring back in-person Dairy Care Academy sessions and this issue contains all the details on page 20. As MMPA celebrates member quality awards from fiscal year 2021, see the full award listing on page 24 and learn how to improve your quality test results on page 22. Also in this issue, we check in with
Editors Allison Stuby Miller, Communications Manager Emily Kittendorf, Communications Coordinator Advertising Emily Kittendorf, messenger@mimilk.com, 248-474-6672, ext. 234 Publication Designer reZüberant! Inc., Stacy Love rezudesign.com Printing Foresight Group, Stacey Trzeciak staceyt@foresightgroup.net Publication Office MMPA Milk Messenger P.O. Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002 p: 248-474-6672 f: 248-474-0924 e: messenger@mimilk.com w: mimilk.com Established in 1916, MMPA is a member owned and operated dairy cooperative serving dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio. An Equal Opportunity Employer – F/M/V/D Subscriptions: mimilk.com/subscribe MMPA members - 50¢ per year Non-members - $5 per year Circulation: 2,600 (ISSN 0026-2315)
MMPA Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator (OYDC) finalists Ryan and Katie Schumacher (page 14). milk messenger / JAN-FEB 2022
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