New England Dairy Farmers Support
Worcester Families in Need
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Dairy farmer Randy Jordan (pictured above) attended the milk donation. “As a DFA farmer it’s inspiring to see milk that our farm produced ending up back in our community. We’re proud to create a nutritious food source and we’re proud to help support those in need,” stated Jordan. Through the Home Fridge Advantage, a total of 810 gallons of milk have been donated to New England communities in need.
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Join Our Farmer Facebook Group!
This group is for New England dairy farmers to engage in conversation and receive updates about New England Dairy (NED), the local dairy checkoff. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with checkoff staff, co-op communications staff, and other farmers.
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Save the Date: Dairy Experience Forum |
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Hosted by New England Dairy, the fourth annual Dairy Experience Forum will be held virtually on July 13, 2021 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
The Dairy Experience Forum connects participants to top industry speakers as they share actionable consumer insights, forecasting, and industry thought leadership.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with stakeholders from across the dairy industry including dairy farmers, processors, and retailers in small group discussions.
The agenda and more information about how to register will be available in April.
Brought to you by the state and regional dairy checkoff organizations and the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center.
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Milk Sales Remain Strong at Retail |
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2020 closed with milk sales by volume gain of 1.3% in December. This trend continued into 2021 with milk sales by volume up 1.4% nationally for the 4-week period ending 1-24-21 and +0.7% in New England.
Lactose-free continues to be a bright spot in the milk category with shoppers purchasing +19.5% more in early 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
Like 2020, 2021 will also bring uncertainty. Some behaviors such as increased online shopping will stick. The need to pantry-load may continue but more moderately as people begin dining out more. Factors including vaccine distribution, work/school-from-home, stimulus checks and other financial impacts will impact how dairy sales at retail perform in 2021.
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Upcoming Funding Opportunities |
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The Bruce W. Krupke Memorial Scholarship
The Northeast Dairy Suppliers Association is offering a $2,000 scholarships for full-time undergraduate and trade school students studying dairy science, food science, or another agricultural field.
Scholarships are available to family members of NDSA and NDFA members.
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Multi-Business Dairy Agritourism Grant
Through the Multi-Business Dairy Agritourism Grant, the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) will fund projects to dairy farmers, processors and producer associations throughout New England, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Projects that support multiple farmers and processors will be eligible for grant funds of $10,000 - $25,000 for the development and marketing of geographically contiguous agritourism activities designed to raise awareness and consumption of regionally produced dairy products.
Application deadline: April 1, 2021.
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COVID Vaccination Resources
Visit NMPF for information and resources about vaccine rollout for essential workers, including the dairy workforce.
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Meet Your Farmer Relations Team |
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Laura manages our farmer relations program across the region, with a focus on supporting Vermont and New Hampshire farmers. Laura is responsible for managing farmer communications trainings, farmer public relations strategies, and sharing checkoff results with farmers…to name a few. Laura says, “the only thing I love more than watching Disney movies with my toddlers is finding creative ways to shine a spotlight on our real life heroes – our dairy farmers."
Annalise focuses on our farmer relationships in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Some of her responsibilities include writing our farmer newsletters, submitting content for co-ops to include in member communications, and leading our live virtual farm tour programming. Annalise has been on the team for a year and a half and has enjoyed an afternoon milk and cookie break every day since she started.
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