Michigan Milk Producers Association Launches Dairy Youth Endowment

News Summary

The Michigan Milk Producers Association has established the Joseph M. Diglio 4-H Dairy Youth Endowment to support young individuals pursuing careers in the dairy industry. The endowment will aid in developing future leaders by providing resources for educational opportunities, scholarships, and leadership development through the Michigan 4-H Foundation. The initiative represents a significant investment in the agricultural community and reflects a collaborative approach with contributions from MMPA, CoBank, and other supporters.

Novi, Michigan — The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) has initiated a new endowment aimed at empowering future dairy leaders in the region. Announced on May 8, 2025, the Joseph M. Diglio 4-H Dairy Youth Endowment marks a significant commitment to nurturing the next generation of dairy professionals in Michigan.

The newly established endowment is designed as a permanent fund, which will be managed through the Michigan 4-H Foundation. This fund is anticipated to provide continuous support for youth who are passionate about pursuing careers in the dairy industry. The official announcement was made during MMPA’s 109th Annual Meeting held on March 19, 2025.

Partial funding for the endowment can be traced back to MMPA President and CEO Joe Diglio’s selection as the 2025 Robert B. Engel Farmer Co-op Manager of the Year by the National Council Farmer of Cooperatives (NCFC) in February 2025. This prestigious award recognized Diglio’s exceptional contributions to the cooperative, including achieving robust financial results and fostering partnerships within the community. In conjunction with this honor, he designated the Michigan 4-H Foundation as a charitable organization to receive funding.

To honor Diglio’s legacy and commitment, the NCFC Foundation contributed to the endowment. Both Diglio and the MMPA Board emphasized the significance of investing in the development of Michigan’s dairy youth, equipping them with the necessary tools and resources for emerging as future leaders in the dairy sector.

In addition to the initial funding, the MMPA Board of Directors has unanimously voted to supplement the donation through CoBank’s Sharing Success program, which evidences a collaborative approach in bolstering resources for the endowment. CoBank, a cooperative bank based outside Denver, Colorado, is recognized for providing financial services to agribusinesses and rural communities, and its involvement further strengthens the initiative.

Leslie Hagle, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at CoBank, highlighted the importance of investing in the leaders of tomorrow within the agricultural sector. The combined financial contributions from MMPA, CoBank, and other supporters aim to establish a lasting resource for dairy youth programming, scholarships, and leadership development through Michigan 4-H Youth Development.

Abbey Miller, Director of the Michigan 4-H Foundation, expressed pride in the partnership with MMPA on this major initiative, which underscores a collective commitment to youth development and leadership training in the dairy industry.

Overall, the creation of the Joseph M. Diglio 4-H Dairy Youth Endowment is set to provide critical support to young individuals pursuing opportunities in agriculture, with a specific focus on the dairy sector. It reflects the ongoing efforts of the MMPA to invest in the agricultural community and cultivate future leaders who will uphold the values and standards of the industry.

The Michigan Milk Producers Association has a longstanding history, established in 1916, and currently serves members across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The Michigan 4-H Foundation, developed in 1952, plays a vital role in supporting Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Development programs. With this new endowment, both organizations seek to ensure a brighter future for the dairy industry through educational and leadership opportunities for its youth.

For those interested in learning more about the endowment and how to contribute, more information can be found through the Michigan 4-H Foundation’s official channels.

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• Brownfield Ag News: Michigan 4-H Endowment
• Wikipedia: Dairy Industry
• Perishable News: MMPA Endowment
• Google Search: Michigan 4-H Dairy Endowment
• Morning Ag Clips: Endowment Support
• Google Scholar: Michigan Dairy Youth
• Michigan Farm News: Leprino Foods
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Dairy Farming
• Ethanol Producer: Low-Carbon Ethanol Facility
• Google News: Dairy Endowments Michigan