When it comes to monikers for dairy cooperatives, Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) is something of a misnomer. The name somewhat belies the fact that the Novi, Mich.-based operation serves nearly 1,600 dairy farmer-owners residing not only in Michigan, but also in Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.
But MMPA’s roots do trace back to Michigan. Way back in 1916, approximately 400 Michigan dairy farmers gathered at Michigan Agricultural College in East Lansing, Mich. — what’s now known as Michigan State University — to form MMPA, explained Sheila Burkhardt, senior director of member and government relations for MMPA and a 30-year employee of the cooperative.