Dairy Farmers of America

This #ThanksgivingDay, we give a heartfelt thanks to our farmer-owners and everyone who helps get dairy from farm to (Thanksgiving) table. 🦃🌽🍁    Our dairy farmers couldn’t do what they do without help from our dedicated Cooperative employees and partners across the country and around the world.     By enjoying dairy in your Thanksgiving dinner, dessert and second or third helpings, you’re supporting them! 

#DYK 65% of Americans can’t imagine celebrating the holidays without dairy? It’s no surprise to us—creamy mashed potatoes, rich pumpkin pie, and cheesy casseroles are the stars of many holiday tables. The Very Dairy Holiday Report, conducted by DFA, polled over 3,000 Americans to uncover just how much people cherish dairy during the holidays. The results? A whopping 90% of Americans agree their favorite holiday dishes contain dairy, and 86% choose dairy for its delicious flavor and reliable quality. And for some, dairy is non-negotiable—1 in 3 Americans say they’d rather give up Thanksgiving football than their favorite dairy dish. Now that’s dairy dedication! Check out the rest of the findings in the full report >> https://bit.ly/4iaRudZ.

Families come in all shapes and sizes, and so do dairy farms. For #NationalFamilyWeek, we’re #DFAProud of families like the Wegners, DFA farmer-owners in Wisconsin. Annaliese, @modfarmchick on Instagram, recently reminded her followers that no matter the size of the farm, the care and love that go into every drop are the same. Farming is a family tradition for the Wegners. Annaliese grew up on a farm that milked 1,500 cows, and today her family milks 700. “As our families grew, so did our farm,” says Annaliese. “We needed more cows to support our growing family and to allow all family members to be involved in the business.” This week, we honor farming families like the Wegners who pour their hearts into everything they do, keeping family at the center and real quality milk in your fridge. “Just like you wouldn’t judge a book by its cover, don’t judge a farm by its size,” Annaliese says.

34 incredible DFA team members recently hit the ground running (literally!) alongside nearly 7,200 other participants at the Every Woman's Marathon in Savannah, Ga., hosted by MilkPEP. Our runners and walkers, representing 15 states and a range of roles across the Cooperative, embodied DFA's commitment to health, wellness and community. The weekend was filled with energy and connection, including a pre-race dinner where DFA’s chief marketing officer, Rachel Kyllo, reflected on her marathon debut: “The amazing community of women supporting each other to tackle this challenge was powerful. The positive energy throughout the weekend was unforgettable.” DFA also brought the spirit to mile 8 with a branded cheer station, where members of EmpowHER, our women’s employee resource group, cheered on runners with cowbells and signs. Emma Andrew-Swarthout, a DFA farmer-owner from N.Y., says “I’ll never stop thinking about this amazing event! It was amazing to share this space and experience with women from all walks of life toeing the line to share a singular experience of running a marathon." Congratulations to all our runners for pushing their limits and proving how dairy fuels greatness! We’re #DFAProud of each of you!

Are you a college student chasing your dreams or do you know someone furthering their education? DFA Cares Scholarship applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are now open! Don’t miss the deadline—Jan. 10, 2025. We’re seeking students passionate about agriculture, engineering, veterinary science, food science and other fields that drive the dairy industry forward. This year, DFA awarded scholarships to 64 recipients totaling $83,000 in support for their education. Be part of this legacy of future leaders making an impact! Don’t wait—apply today >> https://bit.ly/3Z4SsQh.

We’re #DFAProud to have donated and distributed over 400 gallons of milk yesterday at Giving Hope KC, a local food pantry serving families in the Kansas City, Kan. metro. This effort was made possible alongside our incredible partners at Hiland Dairy Foods, Thrivent, Ally Financial Group, Victory Ford, Victory Dodge/Chrysler, JReid InDeed and Mr. D's Donuts. This great turnout in sponsorship complimented the Thanksgiving meals provided by Kansas City Chiefs players Justin Reid and Trey Smith in association with The Kansas City Chiefs. The players, along with KC Wolf, handed out gallons of milk and stopped for pictures with fans. Milk is one of the most requested, yet least donated items at food banks, making contributions like this critical to supporting families in our communities. You can make a difference, too. Join #DFAInAction and help ensure communities have access to nutritious dairy products >> https://bit.ly/3cBgSYW.

The demand for U.S. dairy continues to grow and #WeAreHiring! You don’t need a background in agriculture to join our dedicated team working passionately to bring value to our farmer-owners. It takes many roles to deliver wholesome dairy products across the country and globally in various forms, flavors and functions. We have open roles like: ☑️ Ag health insurance agent – Kansas City, Kan. ☑️ Summer 2025 engineering/maintenance intern – Le Mars, Iowa ☑️ Production supervisor – Richmond, Ind. See all our current #JobOpportunities >> https://bit.ly/2YXi1oL.

Dennis Rodenbaugh, our president and chief executive officer, was recently honored by his alma mater, Washburn University, as the 2024 School of Business Alumni Fellow. Reflecting on this recognition, Dennis shared, “Washburn holds a special place in my heart — it’s where I deepened my understanding of the intended and unintended impacts of economic policies, explored business management theories and developed foundational skills in financial analysis. It’s where I grew as a leader through roles as a student senator and president of the student government and built lifelong friendships in other organizations, including Alpha Delta fraternity. Most importantly, it’s where I met my wife, Cindy." Accepting this award last week was especially meaningful for Dennis, as he was joined by his wife, Cindy, daughters Jenna and Jaden, his sister Debra Rodenbaugh Schaub, his brother Darrell Rodenbaugh and Alex and Kim Bachelor. Alex, a fellow Washburn alumnus and our executive vice president and chief administrative officer, was recognized during the event by Dennis not just as an executive leader of DFA, but as a trusted friend he deeply respects. Together, Dennis and Alex continue their shared commitment to investing in DFA’s people and delivering value for farmer-owners.

It’s #NationalEntrepreneurDay and we’re celebrating DFA farmer-owners like Stacy Rethman, who prove that dairy farming is more than just milking cows—it’s innovation, sustainability and small business pride. Stacy shared on her Instagram page yesterday: “It’s #NationalEntrepreneurDay tomorrow, and I’m always surprised how often dairy farmers are overlooked as entrepreneurs. My great-grandparents started Rottinghaus Holstein Farm in 1933 with only 5 cows, and through the years, we’ve continued to innovate, evolve, and grow our business. Often that means supporting other local entrepreneurs in our community, too! One example that I think is pretty cool? We partner with local cabinet maker Koch Cabinets to give their leftover sawdust a second life as bedding for our cows! A semi delivers fresh sawdust weekly, and we change their bedding one to two times a week (yes, more often than most of us change our bed sheets! 😅). And when the bedding gets dirty, we don’t toss it out. Instead, we spread it on our fields as a natural fertilizer for next season’s crops. As a fourth-generation dairy farm, we’re #DFAProud to be a small business and support other local entrepreneurs in our community. 🙌” From repurposing sawdust as bedding and natural fertilizer to championing other local businesses, Stacy’s entrepreneurial spirit shines bright. This is the heart of dairy farming—creativity, community, and a commitment to sustainability!

Growing up on her family’s dairy farm in Goodhue, Minnesota, Kelly Scharpen learned the value of hard work and the rhythm of farm life early on. Today she applies that knowledge as a milk receiver at DFA’s plant in Zumbrota, Minnesota. Just like she did on the farm, she wakes up long before sunrise. Arriving at the plant by 5 a.m., she quickly gets to work preparing to receive milk — calibrating thermometers, hooking up lines and washing silos. Kelly's agricultural background means she understands the entire process — from farm to plant — making her adept at identifying and addressing any issues that arise. A key aspect of her work is ensuring the milk received meets DFA’s high-quality standards. She carefully checks the temperature and acidity of the milk, knowing even slight variations can impact the final product. Her firsthand understanding of farm life makes her uniquely skilled at tackling challenges. “Because I grew up with that, I know what farmers are talking about and what to look for,” she explains. Even as agriculture evolves, Kelly remains optimistic. Her three sons have inherited her passion for farming, with two showing a strong interest in carrying on the family tradition. For Kelly, the connection between farm and community has always been clear. "Without a farmer, this world would be lost," she says. Join us in thanking Kelly and all those who ensure we can enjoy safe, high-quality nutritious dairy products!