Dairy Farmers of America

For the Seiler family, dairy runs in their blood. Their story began more than 50 years ago with their grandfather, a milkman who dedicated his life to delivering fresh dairy. “Our grandfather was a milkman who moved here with my grandmother and my father and began working as a tractor-trailer driver and transport supervisor at our DFA-owned T.G. Lee® plant in Orlando, Fla., in 1967,” says Chris Seiler. Today, Chris and his brothers, Bobby and Sammy, are third-generation haulers and drivers at T.G. Lee, continuing the legacy their family started. Their father joined the company in 1972, took a brief break to serve in the Army and start a family, then returned for a 33-year career focused on ice cream distribution. “We attended T.G. Lee picnics as kids. My dad would bring the ice cream truck, and we were in charge of handing out ice cream,” Chris recalls. After college, Chris was looking for stability and saw the opportunities his family had built within DFA. “My grandfather and my dad were able to raise a family while working at T.G. Lee. It offered the stability and family atmosphere I needed for the future. I knew this place would give me an opportunity to grow if I worked hard enough.” Chris started his career in case stock and blow mold before moving to logistics as a route sales representative. In late 2024, he was promoted to general manager of T.G. Lee. Bobby, who joined in 2005, is a plant production manager, and Sammy, who joined in 2009, is a fleet maintenance coordinator. “Farms are generational. It makes sense that we are generational, too,” he says. “I think dairy farmers find it comforting to see our families working hard to keep milk moving, and I find it comforting, too, to be part of a team that feels like family. As a legacy employee, I don’t want to mess up our family name, which makes me work even harder.”

#DYK: Ditching all the dairy cows in the United States would only cut agricultural greenhouse gas emissions by about 0.7%. But what would we lose? The essential nutrition of dairy in all its delicious forms — from milk to cheese to butter and everything in between. Sure, all foods have some environmental impact, according to research by Virginia Tech that uncovered the truth about dairy cows’ impact on the environment, but dairy’s is minimal thanks to dairy farmers’ ongoing sustainability efforts. Imagine a world without dairy cows: no milk mustaches, a noticeable lack of black-and-white spots (and all the other dairy breeds!) and a significant gap in our nutrition. That's not a future we're excited about. Cheers to continuing to enjoy sustainably made dairy and all its nutritional benefits in 2025 and beyond!

Ready to scale your ag-tech startup? The 2025 DFA CoLAB Accelerator is here to help. Gain expert mentorship, industry connections and tailored resources to refine your business and drive real impact. 📅 Apply by April 1 >> https://bit.ly/4gjpSRI Running from May to October, this program connects you with DFA experts, educational sessions and top leaders in dairy and ag-tech. Whether you're innovating in sustainability, automation, animal health or beyond, we’re excited to support bold ideas shaping the future. Know someone who should apply? Share this opportunity and help them take the leap!

Through every shift in the forecast — rain, snow or shine — our farmer-owners, haulers and employees keep the dairy industry moving. We're #DFAProud of the role each of you plays. Thank you! Your dedication never wavers, no matter the road conditions, the howling wind or the bitter cold. Because of your hard work, families across the country and around the world can count on high-quality, nutritious dairy products every day. We’re grateful for your commitment to dairy and all that you do!

It’s #NationalCaliforniaDay and we’re #DFAProud to celebrate Alta Dena Dairy — a California original and a DFA farmer-owned brand rooted in City of Industry, Calif. What started in 1945 with just 61 cows, a delivery wagon and a vision for fresh, high-quality milk has grown into a beloved household name. Nearly 80 years later, Alta Dena remains committed to the same values of quality and trust. But it’s not just history that makes Alta Dena special — it’s the people behind it. Across two DFA-owned plants in City of Industry, nearly 600 dedicated employees work together to produce fluid milk, cream and buttermilk. With an average tenure of 18 years — and many employees surpassing 30—their dedication and expertise set Alta Dena apart. Alta Dena is just one brand home to our farmer-owners' milk. More than 180 DFA family-owned farms across the state collectively produce over 845 million gallons of milk each year. Their hard work, paired with the passion of more than 1,100 DFA employees across 13 locations statewide, fuels the dairy tradition that makes California proud. Today, we honor the farmers, employees and loyal customers who keep this legacy alive. Here’s to the Golden State and the golden standard of dairy excellence. Learn more about Alta Dena or find a DFA farmer-owned brand near you >> https://bit.ly/4fvXeML.

Leadership isn’t about titles or authority—it’s about responsibility. On #NationalLeadershipDay, Dennis Rodenbaugh, our president and chief executive officer, reflects on the impact of reluctant leaders — those who, as he puts it, don’t step up for recognition but because it’s what needs to be done. Read his full reflection below. 

If cows could talk, we’re pretty sure they’d say “Wow” too. 😂 El-VI Farms LLC, a DFA farmer-owned #dairy in upstate #NewYork, is pulling back the barn doors to share some fun (and maybe surprising) facts about dairy farming. Check out the video and let us know which fact made you say “Wow!” like Owen Wilson.

If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that the teams at DFA are always innovating new ways to keep real dairy at the heart of every health journey. That’s why we made a new milk called Milk50. From DFA farmer-owned brand DairyPure®, it has all the protein of regular milk but no lactose, only 50 calories per serving and 75% less sugar than skim milk. It’s another delicious way to enjoy real dairy! So, whether you’re looking to cut back on sugar, keeping an eye on your calories or seeking something lactose-free, you don’t have to miss out on the benefits of milk. This value-added milk is all thanks to a process called ultra-filtration that does just what it sounds like — filters the milk. The process reduces sugar and removes lactose by passing it through a special membrane, but keeps all the same key nutrients, like high-quality protein, calcium and potassium. Milk50 comes in original, vanilla and chocolate flavors, and is perfect on cereal, in smoothies, as a healthy swap in your favorite recipes or as a satisfying glass after a workout. Made with milk from DFA’s family farmer-owners, Milk50 is a game-changer for those seeking a real dairy milk option with fewer calories. “We’re committed to delivering all the best dairy solutions for today’s modern consumers and providing more value to our farmer-owners,” say Kelly Graf, senior brand manager for Milk50. Grab a carton of Milk50 for your fridge in Target stores nationwide and other select retailers on the west coast. Learn even more about this innovation in an article by Dairy Foods >> https://bit.ly/415SW9J.

It’s #NationalAlmondDay and we’ll give almonds their moment. They shine in trail mix, on green beans, even as a pie garnish — but in a glass? Not so much. So, we wrote a few lines to celebrate — sort of. 😉🥛 Oh almonds, today is your day. It’s your time to shine. So, take a moment — go on, it’s fine. You swirl in lattes, you fill up a glass, But let’s be honest, you’re mostly just mass. Your protein is lacking, your calcium weak, A watered-down version of dairy’s physique. The science is clear, no need to stall Dairy’s the winner — nutrition and all. So, sip if you want but know what is true Milk does it better — science says so, too. ---- If you’re curious about how they really match up, check out this article from MilkPEP >> https://bit.ly/42RdUM5.

Happy #NationalWisconsinDay! We’re #DFAProud to celebrate farmer-owners like Tom and Annaliese Wegner from Ettrick, Wisc. 🧀🐄 Their milk supplies DFA farmer-owned brand Kemps®. But Annaliese (@modfarmchick on Instagram) and Tom (@mrmodfarmchick on Instagram) are serving up more than just high-quality dairy. They’re dishing out some of the best real talk about life, love, kids, and, of course, dairy farming. As a fifth-generation farmer with a degree in dairy science from UW–River Falls, Annaliese brings her 600-cow farm to life for more than 100,000 followers (and counting!). Her goal? Bridging the gap between farmers and consumers. “As a farmer, I recognize that consumers are getting more distant from agriculture every day,” says Annaliese. “I started sharing my modern-day farm life in 2012 because I wanted to help bring that gap, to know a farmer and see where their dairy products came from.” But her impact goes beyond social media. Annaliese co-hosts the @okayestfarmgirls podcast, leads mastermind dinners for female farmers and is a passionate dairy advocate in her industry and community. And then there’s Tom. From the fan-favorite Tuesdays with Tom posts on Instagram to being a good sport in videos (sometimes against his better judgment), he understands the power of connection, too. Together, they’re making an impact, one story at a time. From the farm to your feed, they’re proving that dairy farming is more than just a way of life — it’s a conversation that’s worth having.