About the Checkoff
Working on behalf dairy farmers, Midwest Dairy works to maximize the investment of every dairy farmer dollar through creative thinking and collaboration with a wide variety of partners. Working with and through partners, Midwest Dairy builds trust and demand in dairy among consumers throughout our 10-state region, including Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Arkansas, and eastern Oklahoma.
Checkoff at Work
The Role of Checkoff
Originally formed in 1983 when production was outpacing consumption, the national checkoff program was created to increase demand of dairy foods over time. That vision still holds true as the need for promoting dairy foods and building demand, both domestically and globally, has no end in sight.
Building Trust and Demand
Midwest Dairy helps fuel dairy demand and build consumer trust by bringing dairy to life in a variety of unique, fun ways. See how investment in dairy promotion works at the local and national levels and discover resources to support dairy in local communities. We partner with schools, retailers, restaurants, health professionals, sustainability thought leaders, and community organizations to make dairy more accessible. Interactive infographics, videos, and downloadable resources help demonstrate the impact of the dairy industry and checkoff investment.
Funding Dairy Research
Understanding what’s important to today’s consumers is key to bringing insights that fuel innovative product development that keeps consumers coming back to the dairy aisle. We also fund a wide variety of research projects to provide solutions to challenges throughout the industry. Current research projects include work on sustainability practices, consumer nutrition trends across demographics, and product innovation. These initiatives ensure the dairy aisle continues to meet evolving consumer needs while strengthening the long-term future of the dairy industry.
Scholarships, Internships, and Ambassadorships
Through Midwest Dairy scholarships, ambassador opportunities, and internships, we invest in the next generation of dairy leaders. Students across our 10-state region can apply annually for funding to pursue careers in agriculture, food science, and dairy innovation. Internships and ambassadorships also offer students opportunities to grow their skills and represent dairy farmers, bringing dairy to life for consumers in our region.
Checkoff Publications
Check out Midwest Dairy’s Annual Report and other publications to read how farmers’ investment in dairy checkoff is generating results when it comes to building trust and sales throughout the region.
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