MDI’s mission is to serve dairy farmers through on-farm teams.
MDI is a producer-led initiative to coordinate a comprehensive approach to the delivery of on-farm services to Minnesota's dairy farmers. Those who are open to change and have a sincere desire to stay in the dairy business have the most benefit. The program is available to all dairy producers, regardless of size or production, and is flexible and custom-fit to the needs of each dairy. Minnesota Dairy Initiative uses a team approach, combining the skills and experience of dairy industry professionals. MDI coordinators and team leaders will provide on-farm education, networking, and other resources to the dairy farmer through a team of industry professionals. These individuals will work with dairy farmers to establish what business goals want to be reached such as the following:
Estate planning ⁄ farm transfer
Current production
Calf & heifer performance
Heifer growth ⁄ reproduction
Feed management & nutrition
Reproduction
Herd health
Profit margins
Grant opportunities
Family communication
Facility improvements ⁄ expansion
Forage Production
Transition to Organic
If you want more information or are interested in signing up for this program, please visit our website https://www.mn-dairy-initiative.org/ or contact the MDI State Director, Emily Mollenhauer emmollenhauer@gmail.com or call (651) 764-0309
12/08/2025
𝗠𝗗𝗔 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 | Applications are due on January 15th
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for two Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) grants that help Minnesota farmers strengthen their operations in the face of biosecurity threats and extreme weather.
The AGRI Protecting Livestock from Avian Influenza (Protect) Grant and the AGRI Preparing for Extreme Weather (Prepare) Grant are now open for applications. Together, these programs help Minnesota livestock and specialty crop producers invest in equipment and improvements that reduce disease risk, enhance biosecurity, and build long-term resilience. More details and application 👉https://www.mda.state.mn.us/mda-offers-grants-boost-farm-resilience
12/05/2025
Let us know what you think! Real or fake Christmas tree?
12/04/2025
🎉Wow! Congratulations to Minnesota 4-H and the University of Minnesota, celebrating their win at NAILE https://loom.ly/eanNOWs
Hoard's Dairyman
At the awards banquet, teams were honored for their achievements, and top individuals were recognized for their performance on the written exam
12/02/2025
🎄🐄 This holiday season, let MDI help your dairy farm thrive so you can focus on what matters most—enjoying time with loved ones and celebrating the season!
Whether it’s setting goals, navigating challenges, or planning for the future, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Let’s work together to make your farm the best it can be!
Wishing you a joyful and stress-free holiday season! 🎅🥛
👉 Learn more at https://loom.ly/VYZucqw
11/27/2025
🍂 𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙖𝙩 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙩𝙖 𝘿𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙮 𝙄𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚! 🦃
We are grateful for all the farmers and partners we have the opportunity to work with every day.
🥛 Be sure to enjoy a nice, big glass of milk today with that pumpkin pie!
11/25/2025
💬 We love hearing from the farmers we serve — especially those who’ve been part of MDI for 20 years or more! 🐄❤️
At MDI, we’re proud to bring the right people to your table to help you find solutions, make progress, and keep your dairy operation thriving.
𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙩𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.
Designed for farmers who are open to change and have a sincere desire to stay in the dairy business for years to come, our program is flexible and custom-fit to the needs of each farmer.
Ready to THRIVE? 🐮 https://loom.ly/k_VXTZU
11/18/2025
🌟🐄 Dairy Excellence in Action! 🐄🌟
Check out this great feature from Dairy Star highlighting Carl and Dennis Reuter of Reuter Farms—recognized as Top Performers for their hard work, dedication, and excellence in dairy farming. 👏🥛
Stories like theirs showcase the passion and innovation that keep Minnesota’s dairy industry strong. 💪💚
How many times a day do you milk, and what is your current herd average, butterfat and protein? We milk with two milking robots, averaging 2.8 milkings. Our herd average is 29,660 pounds of milk with …
11/13/2025
🐄🔍 Stay informed and keep your herd healthy!
For the latest Minnesota animal health resources, regulations, and updates, follow the Minnesota Board of Animal Health at 👉 https://loom.ly/zU1o87A
Staying up to date helps protect your animals, your farm, and your community. 🐮💪
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Minnesota Dairy Initiative posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Minnesota Dairy Initiative's mission is to help existing and potential dairy producers succeed through team-based on-farm education, resources, and networking.
MDI is a producer-led initiative to coordinate a comprehensive approach to the delivery of on-farm services to Minnesota's dairy farmers. Those who are open to change and have a sincere desire to stay in the dairy business have the most benefit. The program is available to all dairy producers, regardless of size or production, and is flexible and custom-fit to the needs of each dairy. Minnesota Dairy Initiative uses a team approach, combining the skills and experience of dairy industry professionals.
Dairy producers participating in the Minnesota Dairy Initiative program pay an annual program fee of $200. Scholarships are also available for each dairy farm to further advance their operation.
The farm’s team of dairy industry professionals could include the following depending on the dairy farm’s business goals and action plans.
Veterinarian
Milk Processing Rep
Farm Business Management Educator
Lender
Extension Educator
Crop Consultant
AI Rep
Another Producer
Nutritionist
The farm’s team of dairy industry professionals could help a farm with the following business goals.
Estate planning ⁄ farm transfer
Current production
Calf & heifer performance
Heifer growth ⁄ reproduction
Feed management & nutrition
Reproduction
Herd health
Profit margins
Grant opportunities
Family communication
Facility improvements ⁄ expansion
Forage Production
Transition to Organic
If you are interested in learning more about this program or would like to sign up, please visit our website http://www.mn-dairy-initiative.org/index.html or contact the following:
