Dairy Farmers of America

Did you know that milk is the official state beverage of 22 states across the U.S.? We’re not surprised! This fact highlights the importance of dairy farming to local economies and recognizes milk's role as a nutritious staple in our diets. From New York to North Carolina, milk is celebrated for its benefits and contribution to state heritage. And there's no time to celebrate like #NationalDairyMonth! Curious to see the full list? Count them for yourself >> https://bit.ly/4evAMnI.

While #JuneDairyMonth may be coming to a close, our deep appreciation for the commitment and dedication of our farmer-owners will not. From one farmer’s perspective, it’s not just about the connection to food, it’s all about dairy farming and the cows. “Our commitment goes beyond just providing milk; it’s about ensuring the highest standards of animal care, sustainability, and milk quality,” writes Holly Agari, a sixth-generation DFA farmer-owner in a recent article shared by Morning Ag Clips. “Dairy farmers want to do good and are dedicated to protecting our natural resources. When you enjoy a cold glass of milk or a slice of cheese, know that it comes from a dairy farmer’s love and commitment to providing a safe and wholesome product."

If these girls are indicative of the next generation of #dairy, we couldn’t be more #DFAProud! Meet Ava (8) and Kathryn (7), two enthusiastic young helpers at DFA farmer-owned Kelly Dairy in Rensselaer Falls, N.Y. Earlier this month, they shared some fun facts with their followers and were kind enough to let us reshare to close out #NationalDairyMonth!

Do you remember that trend where everyone was obsessed with cottage cheese? Of course you do, it's still happening! Cottage cheese has seen a massive resurgence in popularity, thanks to internet trends and influencers who have embraced its versatility and nutritional benefits. In late 2023, cottage cheese sales surged by 13%, and Greek yogurt sales increased by $2.8 billion. Curious about the rise of these dairy delights? Check out the full article from Progressive Dairy.

Who doesn’t love the show How It’s Made? Recently, 11 DFA farmer-owners from our Western area joined our dedicated staff in what could have been a real-life episode. They had the opportunity to see award-winning cheeses being made from their farm-fresh milk during their tour of a DFA plant in Turlock, Calif. “The plant tour impressed me from start to finish. I witnessed firsthand the entire cheese processing journey, from tankers dropping off fresh milk, to lab testing, milk processing and finally to fresh, award-winning cheeses ready to ship out to customers,” says Paul van Warmerdam, a DFA farmer-owner. “The science, cleanliness, efficiency, quality control and dedication from employees stood out to me. It's clear why our provolone and mozzarella cheeses have been winning awards for years,” he adds. “Knowing our milk is in good hands from the moment it’s picked up from our farm and seeing the cohesion of our connected Cooperative makes me proud to be a DFA farmer-owner.” During their two-day trip, our farmer-owners also helped combat food insecurity in their local community through a milk distribution event with Second Harvest of the Greater Valley, a local food bank in Manteca, California. Together with area staff and other volunteers, they handed out more than 300 half-gallons of milk to families in need. More than 300 food banks across the country have received financial support or donations of cold storage from DFA to help them offer dairy products to those in need year-round. Extend your support by joining #DFAInAction >> https://bit.ly/3cBgSYW.

Meet Martin Bates, president of global relations and marketing at DFA. Originally from #NewZealand and a world traveler, Martin worked for New Zealand dairy cooperatives before venturing to the United States.    At DFA, Martin's on a mission to share U.S. dairy’s goodness globally, scouting new markets and fostering partnerships to grow DFA's global presence and create more opportunities to share DFA farmer-owners’ milk with the world.    In this edition of our #FastFive series, where leaders from across the Cooperative answer five questions in three sentences or less, learn more about Martin’s favorite dairy product (we bet you’ve never heard of it!), his love of cycling and what he thinks of the United States after having lived around the world. 

Dairy and fruit juice might not be the first combination you reach for to quench your thirst, but a new beverage developed by the food scientists at DFA will have you rethinking this unusual duo. Affectionately known as Very Cherry Berry Dairy, this kids’ drink is a delightful fusion of dairy's essential nutrients and the sweetness of fruit, creating what has been called a "crave-able" and "chuggable" drink. This dairy-forward beverage uses delicious, nutritious milk from our farmer-owners in the form of cultured dairy protein and heavy cream powders. Why powder and not fresh milk? Mixing dairy and juice can be a challenge, but through developing a dry dairy blend system, this thirst-quencher has all the taste and none of the curdling you might find when mixing dairy with the high acidity of fruit. Even better? All of this is achieved with zero added sugar! Our team didn’t just come up with this delicious idea on their own. Increased nutrition awareness amongst parents and a rise in searches for kid-friendly healthy recipes were spotted through consumer insights on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. It was clear that the market was missing drinkable wellness that kids would crave. With more than half of U.S. kids lacking proper hydration, this innovative beverage offers a delicious, health-conscious solution with the natural electrolytes found in dairy and a flavor that kids — and adults — love. Creating a product that consumers are craving is one of the many ways we bring value to our farmer-owners. While we don’t yet know what the future holds for this innovation (and if you’ll see it as a finished product in stores near you), we’re excited for the delicious possibilities that lie ahead.

We're #DFAProud to help our partners at KC Current celebrate #NationalHydrationDay with the best beverage out there! In case you aren't following them on X, they shared earlier today -- Plot twist: Real MILK 🥛 Thanks to our friends at @dfamilk, we’re staying hydrated on#NationalHydrationDay. 💧 Research shows that milk is one of the best beverages for hydration thanks to its balance of natural electrolytes, carbohydrates and protein. 👏 Whether you prefer white or chocolate, both have 13 essential nutrients to help you refuel and recover! Find a DFA farmer-owned brand near you, https://bit.ly/3hnuVEB.

Did you know the word #Selfie was first used in 2002? Some of our followers weren’t even born yet! Fast forward to today, and we're celebrating #NationalSelfieDay with some of the best farm selfies from our amazing farmer-owners and a few #DFAIntern selfies from those spending the summer learning and contributing to our Cooperative. Grab a glass of real milk and share your best selfie in the comments below!

We celebrate #JuneDairyMonth in different ways across all our platforms. Do you follow us on Instagram? Here's a little something we put together to hit those nostalgic notes over there! What’s that you see? A promising dairy alternative? Look again! While major marketing dollars can make plant-based beverages look like the real thing, this clever mouse can spot trickery from a mile away — and we know you can too! Only real milk offers 13 essential nutrients, including high-quality protein, at an affordable price. Don’t be fooled by dairy wannabes, enjoy the real deal this #NationalDairyMonth. Because there’s no national wannabes month, anyway! For more posts like this, head over to our Instagram >> https://bit.ly/3cPRejn! Tom & Jerry and all affiliated music are copyrighted properties of Warner Bros. © Warner Bros.