Our monthly “Conversations with Dairy Checkoff” continues this month with Jolene Griffin, director of industry relations with United Dairy Industry of Michigan.
Q: UDIM offers dairy promotion grant programs for Michigan dairy farmers. How do farmers use this program to promote dairy in their community? What is the application process like?
Griffin: Dairy producer grants were started because we know so many of our dairy farm families like to promote dairy within their own communities. We want to help them provide that dairy to their neighbors. The Dairy Promotion Grant application is found on our website. It’s a quick application. Once that’s submitted, our team will look over it, and we’ll give a reply within two weeks. The dairy producer can purchase the dairy foods for that event, submit their receipts to us, and they’ll be reimbursed.
Q: Give an example of how these programs have been used.
Griffin: We have seen dairy farmers use them for farm tours on their farm. Or maybe there’s a classroom that’s going to be watching on of UDIM’s virtual farm tours and the farmer will take in cheese sticks or ice cream and watch the virtual farm tour with them.
Q: What are some tips or best practices on how farmers can best use this program?
Griffin: Have fun with it. Dairy brings 13 essential nutrients. We can surprise people at an event where they don’t think about dairy being [there]. We are really showing consumers that dairy fits into their everyday life. We’re also showing them that as dairy farmers, we are part of our local communities.
Q: What kind of dairy nutrition education materials does UDIM have for dairy farmers?
Griffin: We have a lot of resources available to dairy farmers and anyone in the dairy community. We know that as farmers, we can talk about how we care for our cows, and we want you to be able to also talk about the nutrition dairy provides. We have handouts that talk about those 13 essential nutrients or answer questions about lactose intolerance. We also have goodies for the kiddos. We’ve got all sorts of items that can really complement that free dairy food that farmers are providing with their dairy producer grant.
Q: What kinds of additional resources does UDIM offer farmers to tell their story?
Griffin: UDIM is a partner for dairy farmers, just like you partner with veterinarians and nutritionists to take care of your cows. We want our dairy farmers to know that UDIM is a partner as well. We can help with that promotion part of the industry. We’re connecting with consumers all across the state. We can help farmers and their local communities with social media or prepare farmers for media [interviews]. We also host communication workshops, that way we are all talking with one voice about the nutrients of milk and how we care for our cows.
For more information, visit milkmeansmore.org.
