MDI’s mission is to serve dairy farmers through on-farm teams.
MDI is a producer-led initiative to coordinate a comprehensive approach to the delivery of on-farm services to Minnesota's dairy farmers. Those who are open to change and have a sincere desire to stay in the dairy business have the most benefit. The program is available to all dairy producers, regardless of size or production, and is flexible and custom-fit to the needs of each dairy. Minnesota Dairy Initiative uses a team approach, combining the skills and experience of dairy industry professionals. MDI coordinators and team leaders will provide on-farm education, networking, and other resources to the dairy farmer through a team of industry professionals. These individuals will work with dairy farmers to establish what business goals want to be reached such as the following:
Estate planning ⁄ farm transfer
Current production
Calf & heifer performance
Heifer growth ⁄ reproduction
Feed management & nutrition
Reproduction
Herd health
Profit margins
Grant opportunities
Family communication
Facility improvements ⁄ expansion
Forage Production
Transition to Organic
If you want more information or are interested in signing up for this program, please visit our website https://www.mn-dairy-initiative.org/ or contact the MDI State Director, Emily Mollenhauer emmollenhauer@gmail.com or call (651) 764-0309
02/27/2026
🐄🌱 Planning the Future of Your Farm for the Next Generation
Passing the farm on is about more than paperwork. It’s about people, goals, and setting the next generation up for success!
Join Minnesota Dairy Initiative and Nathan Hulinsky with University of Minnesota Extension for a practical, down-to-earth conversation on farm transition planning, including helpful tips and key steps to think through.
🗓 Tuesday, March 3
⏰ 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
📍 Cary’s on the Course | Little Falls
We hope you’ll join us for this important conversation!
02/26/2026
⏰ Today is the Deadline!
The 2026 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) enrollment period closes today, February 26! Here's your reminder to enroll before it's too late.
Learn more by clicking the link in the comments! 👇
02/25/2026
🏛️🐄 Reminder: MN Milk Dairy Day at the Capitol is today, February 25!
It’s a great opportunity for dairy farmers and industry partners to be present, connect, and help share the story of Minnesota dairy at the State Capitol.
02/24/2026
𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆!
Join us for “Creating the Profit-Ready Dairy Heifer”
Lunch will be provided.
Date: Tuesday, March 3
Time: Doors open 9:30 AM | Event runs until 2:30 PM
Location: Murray County 4-H Building, Slayton, MN
Registration: z.umn.edu/2026profitreadydairyheifer
University of Minnesota Extension
02/24/2026
𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 — 𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗣 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆!
Planning Your Future Farm for the Next Generation
✅ Free to attend | 🍽️ Meal provided
Tuesday, March 3 | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Cary's On The Course, Little Falls
A new week means new opportunities, fresh starts, and another chance to keep doing what dairy farmers do best; caring for cows, land, and community.
Here’s to a strong start and steady progress all week long!
02/20/2026
🥌🐄 Cows by Day, Curling by Night!
The Johnson family of Pelican Rapids balances life at Lida Acres with a unique winter hobby. By day, they’re focused on their dairy herd and showing registered Holsteins and Brown Swiss. By night, from November through April, they hit the ice to compete in curling events across the Midwest.
It’s a family sport they enjoy together, and a great reminder that dairy farmers know how to work hard and have fun!
Read the full story in Dairy Star. Find the link in the comment! 👇
02/19/2026
🐄 Dairy Sessions at Central MN Farm Show 🐄
If you are heading to the Central Minnesota Farm Show in St. Cloud on Feb. 24–25, be sure to check out these dairy-focused talks on Tuesday from MDI and the Sustainable Farming Association:
🕚 11:00 am–12:00 pm — Building Ecological and Economic Opportunities for Dairy Heifer Grazing with Sarah Lloyd
🕐 1:00–2:00 pm — Incorporating Alternative Forages into Dairy and Livestock Systems with Kent Solberg
The Farm Show offers tons of exhibitors, education, and ideas for all types of farms!
02/10/2026
🐄 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦
The Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program, run by USDA’s Farm Service Agency, is a voluntary risk management program for dairy producers.
DMC provides financial assistance when the margin between the national all-milk price and average feed costs falls below a coverage level selected by the producer!
🗓 2026 𝐸𝑛𝑟𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑: January 12 through February 26
📍 Enrollment is completed through your local FSA office
Join us for an evening of networking, education, and connection at this year’s Women in Dairy event featuring Peggy Coffeen, founder and host of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast! Peggy’s keynote, The Power of One Word, offers a practical and thoughtful approach to goal-setting for the year ahead.
📅 February 5, 2026
📍 Crow River Winery – Hutchinson, MN
⏰ Social time at 6:30 p.m. | Dinner & program 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Open to everyone! See flyer for registration details.
01/26/2026
🐄 Dairy Farmer Lunch & Learn 🐄
Join us for a free Dairy Farmer Lunch and Learn featuring a nutrition panel with local dairy cattle nutritionists from Vita Plus, Central United Coop, and Big Gain. The discussion will focus on ways to maximize dairy cattle nutrition and make every acre as profitable as possible, especially in today’s tight margins.
📅 Tuesday, February 10, 2026
⏰ 12:00–2:00 p.m.
📍 The V by HH, Maple Lake
🍽️ Lunch provided | Free to attend
📝 Pre-registration deadline is: January 30
z.umn.edu/DairyFarmerLunchandLearn
👉 See flyer for registration details!
01/23/2026
Don't forget to join us in Little Falls on Wednesday the 28th!
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Minnesota Dairy Initiative posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Minnesota Dairy Initiative's mission is to help existing and potential dairy producers succeed through team-based on-farm education, resources, and networking.
MDI is a producer-led initiative to coordinate a comprehensive approach to the delivery of on-farm services to Minnesota's dairy farmers. Those who are open to change and have a sincere desire to stay in the dairy business have the most benefit. The program is available to all dairy producers, regardless of size or production, and is flexible and custom-fit to the needs of each dairy. Minnesota Dairy Initiative uses a team approach, combining the skills and experience of dairy industry professionals.
Dairy producers participating in the Minnesota Dairy Initiative program pay an annual program fee of $200. Scholarships are also available for each dairy farm to further advance their operation.
The farm’s team of dairy industry professionals could include the following depending on the dairy farm’s business goals and action plans.
Veterinarian
Milk Processing Rep
Farm Business Management Educator
Lender
Extension Educator
Crop Consultant
AI Rep
Another Producer
Nutritionist
The farm’s team of dairy industry professionals could help a farm with the following business goals.
Estate planning ⁄ farm transfer
Current production
Calf & heifer performance
Heifer growth ⁄ reproduction
Feed management & nutrition
Reproduction
Herd health
Profit margins
Grant opportunities
Family communication
Facility improvements ⁄ expansion
Forage Production
Transition to Organic
If you are interested in learning more about this program or would like to sign up, please visit our website http://www.mn-dairy-initiative.org/index.html or contact the following:
