Midwest Dairy collaborates with thought leaders who attend events and conferences, participate in panels, and give interviews to share their expertise on the benefits of dairy. By engaging with thought leaders at events, we build new connections across diverse industries, broaden their dairy knowledge, and reach new subject matter experts. Thought leaders are influential experts who play a pivotal role in shaping opinions. Through events, Midwest Dairy aims to enhance the positive perception of dairy, as their voices lend credibility to our message about its role in sustainable food systems. They also help build a network of other influential thought leaders who can amplify the dairy industry. Continue reading to discover how Midwest Dairy utilized these remarkable thought leaders in the marketplace.
From Grass to Glass
In 2024, Midwest Dairy hosted “From Grass to Glass: Essential Conversations for a Sustainable Food System” in Chicago. This event brought together sustainability thought leaders from our 10-state region, allowing attendees to learn about dairy’s sustainability commitments from speakers, including farmers Sarah Lenkaitis and Scott Brenner, as well as experts such as Gregg Sanford, Ph.D., and Chef Dietitian Eric Meredith.
CEO Corey Scott gave opening remarks followed by an interactive presentation by Lenkaitis, who shared her family farm story and innovative practices. The following day featured sessions on soil health, water conservation, and efforts to mitigate methane emissions. Attendees also networked and discussed future collaborations throughout the event.
Before the event, only 50% of attendees perceived dairy sustainability positively, but 100% reported a positive perception afterward.
Alliance for the Future of Agriculture
Midwest Dairy partnered with the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture (AFAN) in Nebraska to host a dairy crawl in Lincoln, fostering trust in dairy and promoting sustainability. The event was attended by 26 environmental leaders from organizations such as Keep Nebraska Beautiful and the City of Lincoln’s sustainability department, as well as local dairy farmers.
The crawl included three stops: Zipline Tap & Grill, Toast, and 402 Creamery. It began with networking and a nacho bar, where Darren Mueller of Prairieland Dairy shared innovations in milking and composting. At Toast, attendees enjoyed a dairy-infused entrée while Professor Paul Kononoff discussed advancements in dairy farming over the past 50 years. The evening concluded at 402 Creamery with ice cream and insights from dairy farmers Ann Engleman and her granddaughter Alli, highlighting sustainability from a family perspective.
Overall, the event sparked meaningful conversations and strengthened relationships, paving the way for future collaborations in the dairy industry.
World Food Prize Reception
Midwest Dairy was invited to the World Food Prize Reception, hosted by America’s Cultivation Corridor during the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue. The event brought together more than 120 industry leaders from agriculture, biosciences, and academia to celebrate Iowa’s innovations and explore sustainable agricultural practices.
Key speakers highlighted Iowa’s emergence as a hub for agricultural and bioscience innovation, emphasizing the importance of cross-industry partnerships in advancing sustainable food production. Iowa dairy farmers Lee Maassen and Robert Horst joined Midwest Dairy staff to discuss dairy’s role in sustainable food systems. Interns from the Next Gen Innovation Impact Study Interns also shared insights from their experiences.
The collaboration allowed Midwest Dairy to connect with leaders across the sustainable food system, showcasing dairy’s essential role in nutrition and environmental stewardship.
“Nourishing a Sustainable Food System: Dairy’s Role” event
Midwest Dairy hosted two dinner events titled “Nourishing a Sustainable Food System: Dairy’s Role,” designed to build trust in dairy sustainability and foster connections with thought leaders. The Chicago event took place on October 16 at Herban Produce, and the Bloomington event followed on October 23 at Epiphany Farms Restaurant, both featuring a farm-to-table experience. The events connected Midwest Dairy with 33 thought leaders in the sustainable food sector, receiving positive feedback on dairy’s role in sustainability.
The evenings began with Icebreaker Bingo, where guests mingled and enjoyed appetizers accompanied by prizes from Undeniably Dairy. Each event featured three presenters, each focusing on a unique aspect of dairy’s role in sustainability. Dr. Stephanie Masiello Schuette from Dairy Management Inc. discussed the foundational role of dairy in a sustainable food system. Lorilee Schultz from Mil-R-Mor in Orangeville, Illinois, and Beth Marcoot from Marcoot Jersey Farm and Creamery in Greenville, Illinois, shared insights as local dairy farmers. Jillian Quainoo, RDN, from WellnessJill.com, highlighted the nutritional, economic, and social contributions of dairy.
To facilitate discussions, a Master of Ceremony was appointed for each event. Dakota Cowger, a dairy farmer from Bettenhausen Farm, led the Chicago event, while Dr. Derek Nolan, a Dairy Extension Specialist at the University of Illinois, guided the Bloomington event.
Guests enjoyed meals featuring local dairy ingredients and were given cheese and fudge boxes from Marcoot Jersey Farm and Creamery as a gift. Chicago attendees also received fresh veggies from Herban Produce.
May AI Climate Institute Annual Review meeting
Following a May meeting with Executive Director Shawn Haag, Midwest Dairy attended the AI Climate Institute’s Annual Review meeting at the St. Paul Campus.
During the meeting, Midwest Dairy discussed dairy’s sustainability goals and initiatives through one-on-one conversations and interactive breakout sessions with a diverse group of scientists and engineers involved in a five-year grant project.
The AI Climate Institute is one of seven National AI Research Institutes, a collaborative effort led by the University of Minnesota, along with Colorado State University, Cornell University, Delaware State University, North Carolina State University, and Purdue University. This initiative combines agriculture and forestry science with AI innovation to address climate change while also supporting rural economies.
The meeting helped Midwest Dairy build relationships and spark interest in future collaboration, including connecting researchers with farmers to better understand their challenges and needs.
Sustainability luncheon discussion
In late November, Midwest Dairy hosted a luncheon discussion in Wichita, Kansas, bringing together thought leaders in food systems and environmental sustainability. The event highlighted the crucial role that dairy plays in establishing a sustainable food system. It provides a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of agriculture, sustainability, and health, emphasizing the integral role of dairy within the broader food system.
Kansas dairy farmers Orville Miller and Heidi Wells shared insights into their farming practices. Miller emphasized the forages and by-products that comprise a dairy cow’s diet, explaining how these by-products are utilized and how cows help reduce waste sent to landfills. Wells, a registered dietitian and school foodservice director, also emphasized the nutritional benefits of dairy, highlighting its essential role in promoting overall health.
Local community experts also contributed to the discussion. Maggie Schoonover, Director of Sustainable Innovation and Assistant Educator at Wichita State University’s College of Innovation and Design, along with Matt Unruh, Assistant Director at the Kansas Water Office, provided valuable insights.