EDITOR’S NOTE

BY EMILY KITTENDORF

The holidays are about gathering, celebrating and setting goals for the year ahead. While that is all nice, 2020 has been a whirlwind and 2021 can’t come soon enough. As I’m writing this, the election is just a few days away and it’s impossible to predict what the future of that might hold and whether or not it will shift the world’s paradigm. Regardless of the unpredictability and the ability for the world to change at a rapid beat, it’s never been more important to turn to the future and learn from the past as we flip the calendar to January 2021. Our cover photo this issue is from MMPA member Renee McCauley from Lowell, Michigan.

Inside this Issue

I had the opportunity to catch up with the 2020 Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator Runners-Up, Drew and Beth Rupprecht, who know the importance of setting goals and using them to guide their operation, despite the unpredictability of the world around them. I’ve never met a couple so driven and passionate about the dairy industry and dairy genetics. Check out their story on page 18.

To feed your curiosity, or if you just want to limit some of the unpredictability for the month to come, check out page 14 to see what Center of Food Integrity is expecting for consumer behavior at the grocery store throughout the holidays. You can also prepare for Local Meetings by checking out page 16 for this year’s different delivery methods designed to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Finally, if you’re looking for a gift for those hard-to-buy-for dairymen and women in your life, check out the 2020 Gift Guide in the center of the magazine for great gift ideas. And for some non-COVID related parting words, I hope that you are able to find time to rest, be with family and find joy in the little things this holiday season. God bless!

VOL. 103 / NO. 3

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

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 rezuberantdesign@gmail.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:

MMPA members - 50¢ per year Non-members - $5 per year

Circulation: 2,600 (ISSN 0026-2315)