Our Story
Building a stronger future for dairy since 1977
Minnesota Milk was founded in 1977 when a group of dairy farmers began working together to ensure they had a collective voice in policy conversations. The energy and vision of those original members continue today as we advocate for issues impacting our farms and our families. Our strength comes from members working together and focusing on three areas: policy, engagement and membership.
Who we are
Minnesota Milk Producers Association is a dairy farmer-driven organization providing state and local advocacy on issues and policies impacting the state’s dairy community. Together with our partners, we work diligently to promote dairy farming throughout the state. We provide information and resources to state and local officials to help support the state’s dairy farmers.
We serve dairy farms of all sizes and styles in Minnesota. We also provide a pathway for allied businesses to connect with our dairy farmer members.
History & Timeline
Since 1977, Minnesota Milk Producers Association has been the grassroots organization for Minnesota’s dairy community.
2025
Supported First District Association, City of Litchfield, and Bongards Creameries in securing funding for individual renewable energy, wastewater treatment and new market programs.
2025
2024
Testified over 15 times in effort to fight onerous regulations targeted at feedlot owners, resulting in no final action.
2024
2023
Reauthorized DAIRI program to secure $3 million for Dairy Margin Coverage rebates
2023
2022
Minnesota Milk Producers Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, one of the largest dairy co-ops in the country, jointly announced a new agreement to strengthen the two organizations’ work on behalf of their farmers.
2022
2021
Minnesota Milk’s board of directors elects the first female president, Shelly DePestel, of Daley Farms of Lewiston.
2021
2020
Minnesota Milk leads the way in battling against pandemic solutions that would have disadvantaged cheesemaking areas in partnership with Chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee Collin Peterson. The partnership of Minnesota Milk, member cooperatives and other state trade associations, stops mandatory supply management, the convening a federal order hearing that would have disproportionately helped fluid markets and ensures recently obtained gains in Dairy Margin Coverage, Dairy Revenue Protection and LGM-Dairy did not count against forthcoming payments.
2020
2019
Minnesota Milk passes the DAIRI program through the legislature, the largest single state investment into the dairy industry in decades. The $8 million DAIRI program offered a $0.23/cwt rebate on 2019 milk production for dairy farmers that signed up for the new Federal Dairy Margin Coverage Program. With the pandemic of 2020-2021, the program paid for itself in increased signup over the national average, with Minnesota leading Dairy Margin Coverage participation among all major dairy states in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
2019
2018
With reorganization at Midwest Dairy, the organization returns to three committees: Education, Membership and Policy.
2018
2017
Lucas Sjostrom is promoted to Executive Director. With a new president and Executive Director, the farmer leadership conduct a strategic plan involving their 50 board and committee members. The new plan results in four committees, Education, Events, Membership/Communications, and Policy, with a promise to enhance use of technology and input from those not on the board or committees. After 14 years, the Minnesota Milk Dairy Conference and Expo moves to Red Wing, with a pledge to continue moving the event around the state.
2017
2016
Minnesota Milk contract economist and University of Minnesota professor Dr. Marin Bozic previews a project in the works with the Minnesota Milk board for their feedback, to allow for revenue protection in the dairy industry. In February 2018, the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation of USDA’s Risk Management Agency approves the Dairy Revenue Protection program, which quickly grows to be a risk management tool for over a quarter of the milk nationwide.
2016
2014
All staffing, accounting, information technology, human resources, and communications is transferred to Midwest Dairy. The contract for services maintains Minnesota Milk’s full-time equivalent staff, ensures all Minnesota Milk raised dollars are used for the trade association, eliminates duplication with checkoff programs, and allows Minnesota Milk access to top-notch technology, legal, and communications support.
2014
2012
Minnesota Milk enters into an agreement with Midwest Dairy to share their Executive Director position. After much deliberation with the state’s checkoff promotion organization, Executive Director Bob Lefebvre sees the opportunity to share information and build a closer relationship with Midwest Dairy.
2012
2011
Minnesota Milk works to oppose supply management at the federal level, as midwestern dairies begin growing again when the western industry faces challenges of water, wages, and regulation.
2011
2009-2011
Minnesota budget shortfalls lead to Minnesota Milk digging in heels to hang on to its long-sought programs like the Livestock Investment Grant, Minnesota Dairy Initiatives Program and Cost-Share program with the Board of Water and Soil Resources. The dairy economy is at its lowest point, likely ever, so these programs provide a big impact to many Minnesota dairy farms.
2009-2011
2006
Minnesota Milk establishes a Political Action Committee to provide contributions directly to politicians.
2006
2006
A Dairy Connections Program begins, pairing those entering the dairy industry with established dairy farmers or professionals. This program continues today as the Minnesota Dairy Initiative mentorship program in partnership with Ridgewater College as part of class requirements. Also in 2006, Minnesota Milk’s committee structure is created, emphasizing Policy, Education, and Membership as pillars of the organization.
2006
2005
The Dairy Investment Tax Credit initiative supported by Minnesota Milk is pulled from the final tax bill at the last minute in a disappointing legislative loss. The bill returns in 2008 as the Livestock Investment Grant, helping fund projects and transfer ownership in all of animal agriculture to the tune of millions of dollars per session.
2005
2003
Minnesota Milk annual meeting combines with Stearns County’s annual Dairy Expo to create “Minnesota’s Dairy Conference.” After 21 years, the board of directors returns membership to the original membership fee of $2/cow or $0.01 per hundredweight.
2003
2001
Minnesota Milk develops an Environmental Quality Assurance Program with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the top-tier of which achieve Five-Star Dairy status. Farms were evaluated in Water Quality, Odor and Air Quality, Soil Quality and Nutrient Management, Habitat Quality and Diversity, and Community Image. By 2003, 105 farms were evaluated with 52 achieving FIVE-STAR DAIRY status. During the first two years the program utilized $245,000 in state funding and identified $345,000 in projects completed after the farm reviews.
2001
2000
Minnesota Milk hires first full-time staff, Bob Lefebvre, as Membership Coordinator.
2000
1998
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals issues a stay on the Class I Differential lawsuit, allowing FMMOs to continue current practices. Milk is named the official Minnesota state drink.
1998
1994
Minnesota Milk’s board of directors takes no position on rBST. On May 11, 1994, Minnesota allows processors not using rBGH to label their products as such.
1994
1992
A federal district court rules in favor of USDA in the Class I milk pricing lawsuit. Later, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals awards an appeal to Minnesota Milk on the case.
1992
1990
Minnesota Milk enters into a lawsuit regarding Class I milk pricing against the United States Department of Agriculture, southern and northeastern cooperatives, and the National Farmers Organization. The Minnesota and Wisconsin state departments of agriculture join the suit, and the case is handled by the Farmer’s Legal Action Group.
1990
1989
Minnesota Milk begins providing a stipend to each Princess Kay contestant, a practice that continues today.
1989
1987
Minnesota Milk has 7,300 members stretching from Iowa to Canada (at a time when Minnesota had just over 20,000 dairy farms)
1987
1983
After legal action, remaining board members concur dissolution was illegal, and restart the organization.
1983
1982
Membership dues are reduced to $1 per cow or $0.005 per hundredweight as Association withers. Several board members attempt to give assets (about $30,000) to Minnesota American Dairy Association. Organization dissolves.
1982
1981
The first Cheese Days held at Minnesota State Capitol. Now known as Dairy Day at the Capitol, this event has continued every year since 1981 and continues today to unite dairy farmers and legislative representatives.
1981
1977
Red River Valley Milk Pool, Moorhead, Minn., disbands to form Minnesota Milk Producers Association. Membership is $0.01 per hundredweight. Original filing is provided to the state of Minnesota on February 4, 1977. The inangural Minnesota Milk Producers Dairy Convention was held at the Detroit Lakes Holiday Inn on December 9-10, 1977. The ladies program was a style show by Voelker Dance Studios and The Corner. Speakers included Michael F. Hutjens speaking on dairy nutrition, Ellis Davison discussed membership expansion, and the University of Minnesota’s Ed Fredericks provided the banquet keynote speaker after milking. A four-farmer panel on support for the United Dairy Industry Association (checkoff) was held the next day, followed by elections.
1977
Past Presidents
2024-present | Garrett Luthens
2020-2023 | Shelly DePestel, Lewiston
2016-2020 | Dave Buck, Goodhue
2007-2016 | Pat Lunemann, Clarissa
2003-2007 | George Bakeberg, Waverly
1999-2003 | Delbert Mandelko, Preston
1994-1999 | Lee Johnston, Swanville
1989-1994 | Bill Dropik, Nelson
1988-1989 | Marlon Restad, Pelican Rapids
1983-1988 | Norman Glawe, Detroit Lakes
1981-1982 | Leroy Klovstad, Pelican Rapids
1977-1980 | Ervin Vanek, East Grand Fork
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