Midwest Dairy Coalition Advocacy
By Midwest Dairy Coalition
Last reviewed: December 2025
The Midwest Dairy Coalition is an alliance of Upper Midwest dairy cooperatives advocating for federal policies important to dairy farmers in the region,...
Quick Snapshot
The Midwest Dairy Coalition is an alliance of Upper Midwest dairy cooperatives advocating for federal policies important to dairy farmers in the region, with particular focus on Dairy Margin Coverage, milk pricing, and nutrition programs.
Overview
The Midwest Dairy Coalition is an alliance of Upper Midwest dairy cooperatives focused on federal policy issues of importance to dairy farmers in the region. The coalition provides a coordinated voice for Midwest dairy interests in Washington, D.C.
Key policy priorities include strengthening the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, supporting Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) modernization, advocating for school nutrition programs that include dairy, and addressing other Farm Bill provisions important to dairy farmers.
The coalition actively engaged in the recent FMMO reform hearing process and supported the producer referendum that approved the new pricing system. Current priorities include DMC improvements in the 2025 Farm Bill, including updating production history rules and adjusting tier thresholds.
By coordinating the advocacy efforts of multiple cooperatives, the Midwest Dairy Coalition provides a unified regional voice on federal dairy policy, complementing national organizations like NMPF.
Ideal Users
Farm Types: Upper Midwest dairy farms
Herd Size: All sizes in the region
Key Roles: Dairy farmers, Cooperative members, Farm families
Geographic Focus: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and surrounding Upper Midwest states
Key Features
Farm Bill Advocacy
Focused engagement on dairy provisions in the Farm Bill, particularly DMC improvements
FMMO Engagement
Active participation in Federal Milk Marketing Order reform processes
School Nutrition Support
Advocacy for dairy-friendly school nutrition policies including whole milk
Regional Coordination
Aligns multiple cooperatives for maximum policy impact
Congressional Engagement
Works with Midwest congressional delegations on dairy priorities
Advanced Capabilities
D.C. Fly-In
Opportunities for farmers to meet directly with legislators
Policy Updates
Regular communications on federal policy developments
Bill Tracking
Monitors legislation affecting Midwest dairy farmers
Coalition Statements
Unified public positions on key policy issues
Integrations & Partnerships
Works With: Member cooperatives, NMPF, Congressional offices, USDA
Data Flow: Cooperative input shapes priorities; policy updates flow to members through cooperatives
Industry Standards: Farm Bill provisions, FMMO regulations, USDA programs
Competitive Advantages
Getting Started
Timeline: Engagement through member cooperatives
Infrastructure: Coalition communications, cooperative channels
Migration: N/A - coalition organization
Tips for Success:
Training & Support
Training: Policy education through cooperative channels
Support Channels: Contact through member cooperatives
Community: Cooperative membership, D.C. Fly-In events
Pricing
Model: Cooperative-funded
Summary: No individual membership fees—coalition is supported by member cooperatives
Notes: Dairy farmers engage through their cooperative membership
Evaluation Questions
Recommended Reading
Key Features
- Farm Bill Advocacy: Focused engagement on dairy provisions in the Farm Bill, particularly DMC improvements
- FMMO Engagement: Active participation in Federal Milk Marketing Order reform processes
- School Nutrition Support: Advocacy for dairy-friendly school nutrition policies including whole milk
- Regional Coordination: Aligns multiple cooperatives for maximum policy impact
- Congressional Engagement: Works with Midwest congressional delegations on dairy priorities
Advanced Features
- D.C. Fly-In: Opportunities for farmers to meet directly with legislators
- Policy Updates: Regular communications on federal policy developments
- Bill Tracking: Monitors legislation affecting Midwest dairy farmers
- Coalition Statements: Unified public positions on key policy issues
Ideal For
Farm Types: Upper Midwest dairy farms
Competitive Advantages
What sets Midwest Dairy Coalition Advocacy apart from alternatives:
- Regional focus on issues particularly important to Midwest farmers
- Cooperative-based structure for broad representation
- Coordination with national organizations for amplified voice
- Deep expertise in DMC and milk pricing policy
- Strong relationships with Midwest congressional delegations
Pricing Information
Here is the pricing information for Midwest Dairy Coalition Advocacy:
The Midwest Dairy Coalition is funded by member dairy cooperatives, not individual farmers. If your cooperative is a member, you benefit from the coalition's advocacy at no additional personal cost.
Pricing Model: Cooperative-funded (no individual dues)
Member cooperatives include major Upper Midwest dairy co-ops. Coalition funding comes from cooperative contributions based on milk volume.
Pros & Considerations
- Regional focus on Midwest dairy interests
- State and federal policy advocacy
- Coalition of multiple state organizations
- Collective voice for Midwest producers
- Regular policy updates and engagement opportunities
- Regional rather than national scope
- Membership through state affiliates
- Policy outcomes depend on political climate
- Limited direct technical assistance
Implementation & Setup
How to implement Midwest Dairy Coalition Advocacy on your dairy operation:
Implementation Timeline: Engagement through member cooperatives
Training & Support
Training and support options available for Midwest Dairy Coalition Advocacy:
Support Channels:
Evaluation Questions
Key questions to consider when evaluating Midwest Dairy Coalition Advocacy:
- Is my cooperative a member of the Midwest Dairy Coalition?
- What are the current Farm Bill priorities affecting my operation?
- How can I engage with my congressional representatives on dairy issues?
- What DMC changes should I be aware of for the next Farm Bill?
- How does the coalition coordinate with national organizations?