AMPI Young Cooperators elect officers
Newly elected members of the 2020 AMPI Young Cooperator (YC) Steering Committee are, from left, chairperson Matthew Peterson, Boyd, Wis.; past chaircouple, Amy and Cole Hoscheit, Caledonia, Minn.; vice chaircouple, both seated, Janora and Brad Korver, Alton, Iowa.; secretary, Mike Lax, Sleepy Eye, Minn.; and member-at-large, Charlie Schiller, Freeport, Minn. Not pictured, Julie Peterson.
Wisconsin dairy farmers to lead group
NEW ULM, Minn. (February 19, 2020) — Matt and Julie Peterson of Boyd, Wis., are the 2020 Young Cooperator (YC) chairpersons for Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI). Fellow YCs elected the couple during the spring annual meeting of the Midwest milk marketing cooperative. The YC program is open to AMPI members age 40 and under.
"Through the AMPI YC Program, we get a behind-the-scenes look into how our cooperative operates," Matt says. "Understanding how our milk is marketed and learning from co-op leaders is important as we represent the future of this business.”
“At the same time, we are building a network of friendships through the program,” Julie says. “It’s refreshing to gather with fellow young dairy farmers who are all experiencing the same ups and downs of dairy farming.”
The Petersons will work with fellow YC steering committee members to plan and host events throughout the year. Fellow committee members include: past chairpersons, Cole and Amy Hoscheit, Caledonia, Minn.; vice chairpersons, Brad and Janora Korver, Alton, Iowa; secretary, Mike Lax, Sleepy Eye, Minn.; and member-at-large, Charlie Schiller of Freeport, Minn.
Up next for 2020, the YC steering committee is currently making plans for the group’s summer tour set for July 9-10 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The event will feature a tour of the John Deere Tractor Cab Assembly Operations facility in Waterloo and area AMPI member farms.
AMPI is headquartered in New Ulm, Minn., and owned by dairy farm families from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota. AMPI is the largest farmer-owned cheese cooperative in the U.S. The cooperative’s cheese, butter and powdered dairy products are marketed to foodservice, retail and food ingredient customers. The co-op launched its Dinner Bell Creamery brand and accompanying Co-op Crafted promise in 2019, highlighting more than 50 years of dairy farm families partnering with skilled dairy craftsmen to make great-tasting, award-winning products.
