Twenty-nine Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) members were recognized as 35-year members at the 95th MMPA State Annual Delegate Meeting, March 15. MMPA President Ken Nobis congratulated and praised the members for their dedication to the cooperative. “We commend you for your dedication and loyalty to MMPA and the dairy industry over the last 35 years,” said President Nobis as he awarded each member with a plaque.
Nobis commented on the vast changes the Michigan dairy industry has undergone the past 35 years since these members began dairy farming.
In 1976 when these members joined MMPA, the average milk price was $9.66 per hundredweight; in fiscal year 2010 the average price was $16.31 per hundredweight. There were 5,956 MMPA members in 1976 who marketed a total of 2.7 billion pounds of milk. Today, MMPA has over 2,100 members and marketed over 3.9 billion pounds of milk in the 2010 fiscal year. Most notably, the average producer shipped 550,451 pounds of milk in 1976 compared to the average member’s shipment last year of 2,780,474 pounds of milk, Nobis remarked.
Receiving recognition for 35-year MMPA membership are:
Alma Local
Keith Bott, Wheeler, Michigan
Wendy Bott, Wheeler, Michigan
Barry-Eaton Local
Daniel Javor, Hastings, Michigan
Clare Local
Jack Evans, Sanford, Michigan
Constantine Local
Kenneth Cloud, Cassopolis, Michigan
Inez Ultz, Burr Oak, Michigan
Linda Ultz, Burr Oak, Michigan
Richard Ultz, Burr Oak, Michigan
Hillman Local
Mark Basel, Hillman, Michigan
Terry Sauer, Hillman, Michigan
Wally Sauer, Hillman, Michigan
Hillsdale-Litchfield Local
Louis Wessel, Pittsford, Michigan
Ingham County Local
Dorwin Marshall, Stockbridge, Michigan
John Powell, Williamston, Michigan
Jackson County Plus Local
Danny Hart, Grass Lake, Michigan
Sandra Hart, Grass Lake, Michigan
Lapeer County Plus Local
Charles Snoblen, North Branch, Michigan
Livingston Charter Local
Clark Humrich, Webberville, Michigan
Mid-Michigan Local
David Cordray, Bannister, Michigan
Muskegon Local
Arden Eadie, Conklin, Michigan
Saline-Ann Arbor Local
Dennis Huehl, Chelsea, Michigan
Gerald Huehl, Chelsea, Michigan
Southern Sanilac Local
Michael Noll, Croswell, Michigan
Sunrise Local
Lynn Daniels, Whittemore, Michigan
Rodney Daniels, Whittemore, Michigan
Wallace Daniels, Whittemore, Michigan
West Michigan Local
Mark Hilaski, Hopkins, Michigan
John Kuyers, West Olive, Michigan
Gary Van Rhee, Holland, Michigan PD
—From MMPA news release