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
01/31/2026
🐄 Women in Dairy: The Power of One Word 💬
Join us for an evening of networking, education, and connection at this year’s Women in Dairy event featuring Peggy Coffeen, founder and host of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast! Peggy’s keynote, The Power of One Word, offers a practical and thoughtful approach to goal-setting for the year ahead.
📅 February 5, 2026
📍 Crow River Winery – Hutchinson, MN
⏰ Social time at 6:30 p.m. | Dinner & program 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Open to everyone! See flyer for registration details.
01/26/2026
🐄 Dairy Farmer Lunch & Learn 🐄
Join us for a free Dairy Farmer Lunch and Learn featuring a nutrition panel with local dairy cattle nutritionists from Vita Plus, Central United Coop, and Big Gain. The discussion will focus on ways to maximize dairy cattle nutrition and make every acre as profitable as possible, especially in today’s tight margins.
📅 Tuesday, February 10, 2026
⏰ 12:00–2:00 p.m.
📍 The V by HH, Maple Lake
🍽️ Lunch provided | Free to attend
📝 Pre-registration deadline is: January 30
z.umn.edu/DairyFarmerLunchandLearn
👉 See flyer for registration details!
01/23/2026
Don't forget to join us in Little Falls on Wednesday the 28th!
01/22/2026
🌱 Tools to Make Your Farm More Profitable 🌱
Join Minnesota Dairy Initiative and the Sustainable Farming Association for a free, educational event focused on practical strategies to support farm profitability. The event features Sarah Lloyd and a farmer panel discussing multi-cropping strategies, grazing, and maximizing the potential of your land.
📅 January 29 | ⏰ 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
📍 Alexandria, MN
👉 Free to attend! See flyer for additional details and registration info.
01/19/2026
🥛 An update on school milk options 🐄
Congress just passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which could bring whole and 2% milk back to school meals. The bill now heads to the President’s desk, marking a change that connects schools, families, and the dairy community!
Minnesota Dairy Initiative serves Minnesota dairy farmers through on-farm teams that provide collaboration, networking, support, and resources to foster farm success. If you’re planning ahead or looking to connect with trusted expertise, we’re here to help you build a team that fits your operation!
Our core values:
• Dairy farms first
• Farm-centered team approach
• Strategic planning for farm success
• Long-term impact, evolving with the industry
• Industry collaboration
The year may be new, but our commitment to Minnesota dairy farmers remains the same.
🔗 mn-dairy-initiative.org
01/12/2026
⏰ Reminder for Minnesota Dairy Producers ⏰
The MDA PREPARE Grant is closing soon; applications are due January 15!
This grant is designed to help Minnesota livestock producers and specialty crop producers purchase and install supplies or equipment to prepare their operations for extreme weather and enhance on-farm resilience.
Eligible projects may address challenges related to:
• Drought
• Flooding
• Hail
• Severe weather events like storms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds
💰 Approximately $500,000 is available statewide, with MDA expecting to award 50–75 grants.
If strengthening your operation against weather risks is on your radar, this is a great opportunity to take a closer look!
As we move into 2026, the Minnesota Dairy Initiative looks forward to continuing to support Minnesota dairy farmers through connection, collaboration, and on-farm teams.
🐄 What we’re looking forward to in 2026:
• Continuing to serve dairy farmers through on-farm teams
• Ongoing education and collaboration with industry partners
• Supporting farms as the dairy industry evolves
We’re excited for the year ahead and grateful to work alongside those in the dairy industry!
01/07/2026
As the new year gets rolling, we’re looking back on 2025 and the many connections made across Minnesota dairy. 🐄
Last year we:
-Worked with more than 175 on-farm teams
-Hosted Farm Couple Night Out events
-Offered educational opportunities across the state
-Brought farmers together through peer groups focused on a range of topics, from robotics to grazing.
Thanks to the dairy farmers, partners, and coordinators who helped make 2025 a meaningful year!
12/30/2025
𝗪𝗮𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘆? 🐄
Reach out to build a team of industry experts and essential resources to help you plan for a vibrant future in 2026! 🌟
➡️ https://loom.ly/MvYN-cY
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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:
