Dairy West

Congratulations to the 2024 Farmer Ambassador Class! ?? Our Farmer Ambassador Program is shaping the next generation of dairy advocates and industry leaders. Through dedicated training and engagement with Dairy West, these ambassadors have gained valuable insights into board operations, decision-making and the important work we do on behalf of the dairy community. A big THANK YOU to these seven ambassadors for their hard work and commitment: ? Carson Engberson – Engberson Bros Dairy ? Katy Fitzgerald – 4 Bros Dairy ? Randy Fitzgerald – Fitzgerald Dairy ? Alyson Otten – Barex Dairy ? Arie Roeloffs – Riverbend Dairy #1 ? Harlee Turner – Rock Bottom Dairy ? Kristen VanderVegt – VanderVegt Dairy (not pictured) Their contributions are helping to shape the future of dairy! ???? #DairyLeaders #FutureOfDairy #FarmerAmbassadors #GrowingLeadering #AgNews #Recognition

Congratulations to the 2024 Idaho and Utah Milk Quality Award winners! Recognized and nominated by their respective processors for their milk quality, these dairies were honored at the 2024 Dairy West Annual Meeting. The Idaho nominees were as follows: ? White Harvest Farms, nominated by Agropur ? Si-Ellen #2, nominated by Dairy Farmers of America ? Bokma Dairy #1, nominated by Glanbia Nutritionals ? Hawarden Jerseys Inc., nominated by Gossner Foods Inc ? Moo Mountain Milk, nominated by High Desert Milk ? Bettencourt Dairy #6, nominated by Idaho Milk Products ? J3 Dairy, LLC, nominated by Magic Valley Quality Milk Producers ? K & W Dairy, nominated by Northwest Dairy Association ? Rigby Dairy, LLC, nominated by Snake River Dairyman’s Association ?? The overall Idaho Milk Quality Award winner was Si-Ellen #2 The Utah nominees were as follows: ? Pappys Farms, nominated by Gossner Foods Inc ? Denise C. Earl Dairy, nominated by Dairy Farmers of America ? Fitzgerald Dairy, LLC, nominated by Dairy Farmers of America ? Sun Ray Dairy Inc., nominated by Innovative Food Solutions ?? The overall Utah Milk Quality Award winner was Pappys Farm Congratulations to all of our honorees! #Idaho #Utah #DairyFarming #Recognition #DairyWestAnnualMeeting #MilkQuality #DairyFoods

And just like that, the 2024 Dairy West Annual Meeting has come and gone. What an incredible two days of celebration and connection! The Dairy West staff are grateful for another successful year. A big THANK YOU to the following: ? Each of the dairy farmers and their families who made the time and journey to join us ? The outstanding sponsors and exhibitors who continuously support our industry ? The Boise Centre, TMN Events and our other partners who helped prepare and execute this event ? Our staff, especially the operations team, who worked tirelessly to make it all happen Lastly, congratulations to all of our award winners! Follow along as we share winners’ videos and images over the next couple of weeks. ?? #DairyStrong #Community #Connection #DairyFarmers #CelebratingSuccess #AnnualMeeting #Gratitude #WeKnowDairy

This Veterans Day, we honor the legacy of service and sacrifice carried by our nation’s heroes and the families who support them—much like the dedication passed down through generations of dairy farming families. ???? Robyn Buttars, a proud member of a Utah dairy family, wrote 'These are the Stars' as a tribute to veterans, inspired by her own family’s story of courage and resilience. From her grandfather in WWI to her father and uncle in WWII, her family’s legacy reminds us of the strength and love that service families pour into our nation. Today, as we celebrate these stars who guide and protect us, we raise a glass of milk to thank those who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe. Here’s to our veterans and their families—thank you for lighting the way for us all. ?? #VeteransDay #ThankYouVeterans #DairyFamily #TheseAreTheStars #HonoringService #GratefulNation #RaiseAGlass

Dairy West welcomes back Jenny Nelson as interim CEO! ?? We're thrilled to announce Jenny’s return to Dairy West as interim CEO and strategic advisor. With over 25 years dedicated to the dairy industry, including roles as CEO of the Utah Dairy Commission and SVP of strategic partnerships at Dairy West, Jenny is ready to lead the team through this important transition. In her new role, Jenny will focus on organizational stability, effective transition management and strategic change. She’ll oversee daily operations and guide the search for a visionary CEO to drive Dairy West’s next chapter of growth. This appointment reflects the Dairy West Board of Directors' strong commitment to the organization’s future and mission. With the dedication of our talented staff and the Board’s unwavering support, Dairy West is ready to embrace this transition with optimism. Please join us in welcoming Jenny back to the team! ?? #Leadership #DairyIndustry #Teamwork #Growth #NewChapter #StrategicLeadership #WelcomeBack #AgNews

Dairy meets gaming: connecting with the next generation! ???? Did you know nearly 90% of today’s youth play video games? With more kids making their own drink choices, it’s time to meet them where they are – in the gaming world! By tapping into the gaming ecosystem, milk can be positioned as the natural choice for energy, focus and performance during gameplay. Our friends at MilkPEP are leading the way, showing up authentically with initiatives like the Zany Ziplines Fortnite map and The Milk Cup, a Fortnite series that made headlines. The Milk Cup set a new standard in women’s esports, featuring the biggest prize pool for women’s Fortnite with $250,000. Learn more at https://bit.ly/48qq5Af/. #Gaming #Fortnite #TheMilkCup #FuelWithMilk #Marketing #ConsumerExperience #Innovation #AgNews

Happy Halloween! ?? We're all about no tricks, just treats! In fact, that's the theme of our campaign this month. The "No Tricks, Just Treats" campaign premiered across digital and retail platforms throughout October. Real, local dairy products are no joke—they offer a deliciously memorable experience. Check out some of our favorite spooky treats: ?? Hocus Pocus Milkshakes by Bree Lopez: bit.ly/3C3ySvU/ ??♀? Vampire Hot Chocolate and Ghoul Cocoa by the Day Family: bit.ly/4f0QA1w-/ Through our influencer partnerships, we’ve shared the fun and goodness of local dairy with new audiences. #Halloween #Celebration #RealLocalDairy #NoTricksJustTreats #FamilyFun #Partnerships #WeKnowDairy #Marketing

It's so great to see our dairymen in the spotlight! ?? Utah father-son dairy farming duo David and Preston are carrying on a generational legacy alongside their family. The passion and pride they bring to their work is inspiring. Way to go, Roberts family! ??

Before joining Dairy West, I had taken many personality assessments, each promising insights into my strengths. While initially exciting, that excitement faded, leaving me questioning their lasting value. When I joined Dairy West, I expected the same—take the Gallup Strengths assessment, file it away, and move on. But what I found was entirely different. At Dairy West, the Gallup Strengths assessment isn’t just a box to check off the to-do list. Strengths are integral to how we collaborate, make decisions, and grow as a team. Strengths is what works best for our team at Dairy West, but there’s no shortage of personality assessments out there. What assessment is your team all in on? #StrengthsInAction #EmpoweredTeams #WorkplaceGrowth #StrengthsJourney?#TeamCollaboration #UnlockPotential #GallupStrengths?#StrengthsBasedCulture

Exciting news for Idaho’s food and dairy industry! Boise State’s Food and Dairy Innovation Center has officially opened in its new location within the Micron Center for Materials Research. To celebrate, the center hosted an open house showcasing cutting-edge student research and new facilities, followed by a reception for Boise State faculty, staff, students and industry leaders. Eric Bastian, Dairy West's VP of Innovation Partnerships, shared his thoughts on this milestone: "With the opening of the Food and Dairy Innovation Center at Boise State University and its connection to the BUILD Dairy Program, the status of dairy research for Idaho and the region has improved significantly. Under the direction of Dr. Owen McDougal and in conjunction with Dairy West, Boise State University is becoming a go-to center for dairy research and for students to support the dairy industry through being technically trained and able to help push dairy innovation for Idaho and the western region of the U.S.” The Food and Dairy Innovation Center takes a multi-disciplinary approach, working closely with partners like Daisy Brand, Chobani, Glanbia Nutritionals and more to address unique challenges in the food and dairy sector. Since its founding in 2021, the center has secured over $20 million in external funding and is fueling advancements that benefit Idaho’s agriculture—from wildfire smoke research affecting potatoes to pioneering applications in wine production. With students at its core, the center not only strengthens Idaho’s agricultural heritage but also paves the way for future generations by equipping them with hands-on experience and professional networks. Congratulations to Boise State University and the Food and Dairy Innovation Center on this impactful step forward! ?? Pictured: Food and Dairy Innovation Center Director Owen McDougal, Dean Leslie Durham and Dairy West’s Eric Bastian at the reception. ?? Full story at https://bit.ly/4e9h1ki #BoiseState #Idaho #AgNews #FoodScience #Innovation #Partnerships #DairyIndustry