WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY TO BE AN OUTSTANDING YOUNG DAIRY COOPERATOR?

LEARN

Ever wonder about what goes on behind the scenes of your dairy cooperative? Want to know how others do things on their farms? MMPA’s Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator (OYDC) program provides education on milk marketing, cooperatives and farm management tactics. Not only is there training designed just for people like you, but you’ll get to network with fellow young dairy farmers from across the state and maybe even across the country.

LEAD

Hone in on your leadership skills at local and national conferences and start your journey in getting involved with MMPA. From its beginnings in 1916, MMPA has relied on grassroots member support to lead the association. Many of our current cooperative leaders (including board members!) got their start in the OYDC program.

LEVERAGE

Dairy farmers, especially young dairy farmers, have great potential to drive change with policymakers and dairy industry leaders. Leverage your position and the OYDC program to connect with elected officials, customers, consumers and everyone in between to share your story.

LEAP

Take a leap! Try something new and travel some place you’ve never been! OYDCs may have the opportunity represent MMPA at local and national conferences. Things are a little different in 2020, but previous OYDCs have been able to go to places like New Orleans, Washington, D.C. and California.

What is the OYDC Program?

Since 1950, MMPA has been identifying future leaders through the Young Cooperator and Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator (OYDC) program. The purpose of the program is to strengthen leadership abilities in young farmers, broaden young farmers’ knowledge of milk marketing and MMPA and recognize the abilities and stewardship of our young dairy farmers. Each year, MMPA selects winning and runners-up OYDC to represent the co-op at local and national events.

Who can participate?

Anyone between the ages of 21 and 40 who is a member or affiliated with a member farm is eligible to participate in the program. If running as a couple, eligibility is based on the age of the younger spouse. Nominees can be family or employees of a member and do not have to be “on the contract” or a voting member to be considered.

Selection for each year’s OYDC starts during the winter local meeting season. If you are interested in participating in the 2021 OYDC program, please contact your local officer or Jessica Welch (248-474-6672, ext. 303 or jwelch@mimilk.com).