At the recent MMPA State Annual Delegate Meeting, members and guests recognized Velmar Green, dairy farmer from Elsie, Michigan, for his 42 years of service on the MMPA board of directors. His legacy on the board has shaped MMPA into the successful milk marketing cooperative it is today.

Velmar’s first introduction to MMPA and milk marketing was during the “fair share” days of the 1950s. While riding with his father, Merle, he attended meetings and saw the protests and milk strikes at the Ovid plant. These memories from his childhood left a strong imprint on the importance of cooperatives and farmers working together.

Velmar’s first leadership appointment with MMPA was to the Marketing Committee in the early 1960s.

“I can remember negotiating through the night to gain three cents in the milk price!” Velmar says. “I have had the good fortune to serve with some great leaders in MMPA.”

Velmar was elected to the MMPA board in 1969 and as treasurer in1976. He has hired three general managers and worked with three association presidents.

In addition to MMPA, Velmar has held many leadership positions in the agriculture industry. His keen sense of business management and ability to hone in on the important issues shaped him into a respected leader in Michigan and around the country. His most recent leadership appointment was to the Michigan Agriculture Commission in 2009. As a member of this commission, Velmar is helping to shape the future of Michigan agriculture.

Green Meadow Farms has been involved with countless research trials with the cattle and other management issues on the farm. Their willingness to work with researchers has provided an “on-farm laboratory” that has led to many important research findings in the dairy industry. Many of the common management tools used today were once a research trial at Green Meadow Farms. Their unselfish commitment to the research efforts in the dairy industry has been a benefit to all dairy farmers. The addition of a methane digester is one more step in the process that includes what was one of the first operational sand/manure separators in the country and other new technologies in manure management.

In 2005 Green Meadow Farms opened an on-site teaching laboratory for students in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. The veterinary clinic offers hands-on training to students at the college. The addition of the veterinary clinic compliments Velmar’s long-standing commitment to animal health.

“Velmar has made a lasting impact on not only our organization but the entire dairy industry,” says MMPA president Ken Nobis. “I would venture to say that MMPA never has, nor ever will have one board member who will guide this cooperative through more changes, both good and bad. Velmar will tell you that when he was first elected to the board, member equity was at zero and the co-op had just gone through its toughest financial years in its history. We are in far better shape today.”

In recognition of Velmar’s dedicated service and insight that helped guide MMPA over the last 42 years, the MMPA Board of Directors announced the establishment of the “Velmar Green Endowed Scholarship” through the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation at Michigan State University.

Velmar continues to serve as vice-chair of the Michigan Ag Commission and is actively involved in the management of Green Meadow Farms. PD

—From MMPA news release