Dairy Farmers of America

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!

?? Every day is a chance to make a difference! For Spadgenske Dairy, recycling isn’t a trend—it’s a commitment to making dairy farming even more sustainable. This #AmericaRecyclesDay, Kate Spadgenske shares how she and her family make recycling a key part of their farm’s daily routine. Through the Minnesota Ag Plastic Recycling Program, they recycle everything from silage covers and bale film to oxygen barriers and ag bags, helping keep their farm and community cleaner and greener. How do you recycle at home or on the farm? Remember, start with your milk jugs—rinse, cap, and recycle!

Just in time for #NationalButterDay on Sunday, have you ever wondered how butter is made? Tag along as DFA farmer-owner Jamie Brown of Brown’s Dairy gets all churned up watching the process of making butter at one of our manufacturing plants. Whether it’s in sticks, blocks or tubs, butter from a DFA farmer-owned brand like Plugrà? Premium Butter, Borden?, Cache Valley? Creamery and Breakstone’s?, is rich, smooth and made with fresh cream from our family-owned dairy farms — like Jamie’s. And, if you’ve ever wondered what happens to the buttermilk after butter is made, we’ll let you in on a secret: It doesn’t go to waste. At DFA, we dry the buttermilk and sell it as powder!

Tomorrow is #WorldDiabetesDay. Did you know enjoying yogurt regularly can be a delicious way to support your health? The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the claim that eating at least 2 cups (3 servings) of yogurt per week may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes according to limited scientific evidence. Whether you're at home, work or school, yogurt makes a delicious addition to a balanced breakfast or on-the-go snack. Pair it with another protein option like eggs or avocado to help keep blood sugar levels in check. To control the sugar content, choose plain varieties and add your own mix-ins to give it extra flavor. Some ways to enjoy yogurt include: ?? Topping it with fresh fruit or unsweetened granola ?? Adding it to low-sugar smoothies for extra protein ?? Sprinkling it with chia seeds or ground flaxseed for healthy fats ?? Using it as a base for savory dips and salad dressings At DFA, our farmer-owners are proud to make nutritious dairy that supports the well-being of everyone who enjoys it. So, let's raise a spoonful of yogurt to all the dairy farmers who make it possible! What’s your favorite way to eat yogurt?

More than 20 DFA young cooperators (YCs) from across the country recently traveled to Phoenix for the 2024 National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) YC Leadership and Development Program and the Joint Annual Meeting of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB), NMPF, and United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA). These young farmer-owners had a chance to hear from inspiring speakers, take part in hands-on workshops, and connect with fellow farmers from around the nation. Andrew Paulhamus of Pennsylvania shared his gratitude for attending the NMPF YC leadership meeting and said he “hopes to continue involvement with the group” in the future. We’re proud of these young farmer-owners who dedicate time away from their farms to grow as individuals, business owners, and dairy farmers—ensuring their farms thrive for generations.

"Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause." – Abraham Lincoln Earlier this month, Dennis Rodenbaugh, our president and chief executive officer, along with Randy Mooney, our chairman of the board, sent a letter to employees in the Cooperative who served. They wrote: "This Veterans Day, we sincerely thank you for your sacrifice and service to our country. Your dedication, bravery and hard work are truly inspiring. You have not only protected the United States and our freedom but have also brought those same values to our Cooperative and the dairy industry, protecting dairy farm families and their right to farm for generations to come. Your spirit of service and teamwork helps make DFA stronger every day. It’s an honor to work alongside you." This #VeteransDay, we extend this message beyond our dedicated employees to all our customers, consumers and community members who have served. Join us in thanking them and their families for answering the call to our country. Pictured below: Samantha Timmerman, Joe May, Robert Jimenez, LaTerrance Barnes, Jesus Guerrero, Paul Fribert, Ty Hergenrother, Henry Lapp and Mike Brown.

It was no easy feat becoming a weapons sergeant in the US Army’s Special Forces unit, but Jason Workman, a DFA farmer-owner in Woodsfield, Ohio, credits dairy farming for his mental and physical toughness. “You have to go through a three-week selection process, where they put you through many physical and mental tests that can last days and you have no idea when they will end or when you can sleep,” he says. “If you do get to sleep, you don't know for how long or what the next day is going to bring. Growing up on the?dairy farm taught me how to work long hours and instilled in me the work ethic of never-quit-till-the-job-is-done — this attitude got me through that.” This mentality also helped drive him when he was deployed. “Overseas we would be assigned many different?responsibilities and missions that could easily be overwhelming at times but growing up learning how to deal with the demands?and stress that the farm can place on you helped me navigate through each deployment,” he says. After six years of service, Jason and his wife, Lesley, returned to his family’s dairy, Next Generation Dairy, where they along with Jason’s dad, Marlon, and Lesley’s dad, Duane, milk 120 cows. Jason applies many lessons from his time in the army to the dairy today, with the most important being to have a plan and take action. “There is a saying in the army that ‘If you don't have a plan, you plan to fail,’” he says. “I learned real quick in the army that if you want your situation to change, no one will make it change except you. As farmers, we can't control most of the variables that influence our businesses, but we can make a plan and take action to control what we can and, most of the time, that improves our situation.” The Workmans have been putting that ‘take action’ mentality into practice on their dairy. By making improvements like doubling the size of their herd, installing two milking robots and building a new freestall barn, they’re helping ensure a sustainable future for their three children and future generations of dairy farmers. This #VeteransDay, we’re thankful for heroes (and dairy farmers) like Jason.