Midwest Dairy encourages farmers to engage with local consumers by utilizing Undeniably Dairy grants. These grants can be used for local promotion efforts to showcase how dairy benefits people, the planet, and communities. Individuals can apply for up to $5,000 in one calendar year, but these are competitive grants, and funding is subject to availability. Once submitted, applications are evaluated based on project goals, audience size, and alignment with eligibility requirements.
The Undeniably Dairy grant allows individuals to bring dairy to unexpected places and host on-farm events to engage with consumers. Farmers are encouraged to focus their efforts on making connections with the next generation of consumers and those consumers that haven’t had the opportunity to connect with dairy, including Gen Z (13-25 years old). Midwest Dairy is focused on Gen Z because we have a large opportunity to grow sales and trust for dairy with this age group, making them high-impact consumers. If we don’t reach Gen Z where they are now, they’ll turn to other foods and beverages that align with their wants, needs, and values. Undeniably Dairy grants are a great way for dairy farmers to connect with local youth to do just that.
Dairy farmers, dairy groups, and agriculture organizations are able to apply for grant money and, in return, are asked to showcase photos and a description of the event once completed. Keep reading to learn more about successful events that took place in 2022 because of Undeniably Dairy grants.
Power Up with Protein Event
Farm Group Name: Clayton County Dairy Promotion Committee (Iowa)
Power Up with Protein was a collaborative event between commodity groups in Clayton County. This event reached 500 local students focusing on K-12 youth. The goals of this event were to help students find high-protein options for an after-school snack and potentially provide more opportunities for dairy and dairy nutrition information to be introduced in the school system. Students had the opportunity to sample all kinds of dairy, including different flavors of cheese and milk. The Dairy princesses were also present and visited with students about how the protein in dairy is important in their everyday diet. Undeniably Dairy branding was used in posters, promotions, and sponsorship information. Promotion items and flyers were also handed out explaining the importance of dairy nutrition.
Dairy Day at Dr. Dawn’s
Farmer Name: Dawn Entzminger (North Dakota)
Veterinarian and dairy farmer Dawn Entzminger used an Undeniably Dairy grant to help educate over 800 adults and children at Dr. Dawn’s Dairy Days in Jamestown, North Dakota. There were many activities available to guests, including a virtual dairy tour provided by Midwest Dairy. The county extension shared dairy information in the form of a game show, and a STEM demonstration was provided where each participant did an experiment using milk, food coloring, and dish soap. The bookmobile came with various farm-themed books and a dairy-themed story was read every half hour. There were also carnival games with dairy-themed prizes to be won. Attendees enjoyed a large dairy-themed coloring collage and a photo booth with dairy-themed props. The North Dakota Dairy Ambassadors and a North Dakota Division Board member assisted with the event and served as onsite experts to answer questions.
Friends and Family Ice Cream Social
Farmer Name: Amy Dudek (Missouri)
Amy Dudek at Bunse Dairy hosted their annual ice cream social during a summer evening in June. This event drew consumers from Kansas City and surrounding communities to join the social and experience life on a working dairy farm. They used dairy messaging at booths around the farm that showcased dairy cows, different dairy products, and their own family farm history allowing lots of good conversation to be had about the industry. Undeniably Dairy messaging helped add information in a fun way around the farm with infographics from Midwest Dairy, U.S. Dairy, and some they made themselves. The booth themes tied into the farm tour, adding another level of interaction, and promotional items were provided.
Interested in learning more about the Undeniably Dairy Grants and even applying for your own? Click here to learn more.