Talk Dairy to Me

This month we are featuring half of the 2022 DFA Accelerator class that kicked off earlier in April. There are six extremely innovative companies in this year’s class. From on-farm sustainability and animal welfare to sustainable manufacturing techniques, the 2022 accelerator class is working to have a positive impact on the dairy industry. Over the next two episodes of Talk Dairy to Me, we are going to be introducing you to this year’s class. Host Doug Dresslaer talked dairy with...

This month, our episode focuses on innovation in dairy when it comes to reaching our current customers and attracting new customers to all things dairy. Beyond the classic jug of milk, the dairy industry is using innovative technologies, bold flavors and creative products to address consumer needs around giving their families more of the nutritious value of dairy. Our host, Doug Dresslaer, talks with innovation experts about new products and processes in dairy, and what the future holds for...

The dairy industry takes food safety very seriously. For many years now, dairy farmers and processors have worked closely with the Food and Drug Administration and state regulatory offices to establish regulations and practices to make American milk and dairy products among the safest and most highly regulated foods in the world. Our host Doug Dresslaer talks dairy with two food safety experts about how they are working to keep all your favorite dairy products safe and readily...

This month, we are highlighting a DFA product that has a long history — in fact, it has been on the market for more than 40 years — and we are sharing how, through innovation and consumer insights, it has grown and changed throughout the decades. We are talking about Sport Shake®. Join host Doug Dresslaer as we learn more about this popular and long-lasting product!

For this month's episode we travel to Syracuse, NY for the annual Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit. Our host, Doug Dresslaer, learns about the summit, the competition among AG and food startups and how this event is helping to grow agriculture in this region of New York. Plus, Doug visits with two startups focusing on the dairy industry.

This month on Talk Dairy to Me, DFA’s podcast about all things innovation, our host Doug Dresslaer, director of cultural innovation, highlights some of the great academic work that is happening in the dairy industry, specifically at Cornell University and University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Listen in to learn more about these schools’ innovation programs, fully functioning dairies on campus and even ice cream for sale!

This month we tell the stories of two of our great family-owned farms. One is using an education program to teach students the story of dairy. The other farm is using what's available on their land to start a whole new business. Join host Doug Dresslaer as he interviews both families and talks about how their family heritage is what keeps them both innovating and growing.

This month, our host Doug Dresslaer, is once again talking with three great companies from our 2021 DFA Accelerator program. You'll meet H2Ok Innovations, Dairy Office and The Modern Milkman. Learn about these three innovative companies and their plans for the future!

July is recognized as National Ice Cream month, so we are focusing this episode on all things ice cream. Learn about new trends and changes to the ice cream aisle and find out how our newest regional brands of ice cream are working hard to bring consumers all the tasty treats they desire. Grab a bowl of your favorite ice cream and enjoy the latest episode of Talk Dairy to Me!

DFA’s 2021 CoLAB Accelerator program may have officially concluded last week, but we want to continue to help you get to know the innovative companies that participated in the program. Many of these startups are still getting up and running — and all have exciting futures ahead. For this month’s episode of Talk Dairy to Me, our podcast about all things innovation, our host Doug Dresslaer, director of cultural innovation, talked dairy with the founders of three of the seven companies that...

DFA’s 2021 CoLAB Accelerator program may have officially concluded last week, but we want to continue to help you get to know the innovative companies that participated in the program. Many of these startups are still getting up and running — and all have exciting futures ahead. For this month’s episode of Talk Dairy to Me, our podcast about all things innovation, our host Doug Dresslaer, director of cultural innovation, talked dairy with the founders of three of the seven companies that...

LEADING THE WAY WITH OUR PLANET, OUR PEOPLE AND OUR COMMUNITIES From protecting the environment, to investing in our employees and family farm-owners, to giving back to all the communities we touch, DFA takes our social responsibility to our planet, our people and our communities seriously. Our recently released 2021 Social Responsibility Report focuses on the progress made in these areas in 2020 — despite all the challenges of an unprecedented year — and sets the path for 2021. If you...

Earlier this month, DFA kicked off its 5th accelerator welcoming seven great companies to the program. On this month's episode, our host Doug Dresslaer explores why DFA started the program, successes we've achieved by having the program and gets updates from companies who have been in previous cohorts.

On this month’s episode of Talk Dairy to Me, DFA’s podcast about all things innovation, we’re talking about National Nutrition Month and highlighting the importance of dairy in a healthy diet. From protein powders to sports drinks, innovations in how we process products, and the ingredients used, are expanding consumers’ choices for healthy (and trendy) eating through all the possibilities of dairy. Our host, Doug Dresslaer, talks dairy with Jeff Clark, director of strategy management for...

On this month’s episode of Talk Dairy to Me, DFA’s podcast about all things innovation, we’re highlighting DFA’s inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council and the work the council has done since it was formed last summer to foster a culture of openness and inclusion across the Cooperative. Our host, Doug Dresslaer, director of cultural innovation, talks with Marjie Knust, senior director of communications, about why the council was formed. He also chats with two members of the...

NOGS, FLAVORED MILK, DRINKABLE YOGURTS, OH MY! On this month’s episode of Talk Dairy to Me, DFA’s podcast about all things innovation, we’re featuring the delectable drinks that hit the dairy case in 2020 — thanks to the innovation happening at DFA. Our host, Doug Dresslaer, director of cultural innovation, talks dairy with the talented teams in our Dairy Brands Division that took products from ideas to grocery store aisles last year. The Dairy Brands Division nourishes consumers through...

This month, we want to focus on a new innovative program from our Farm Services team. Feed is the number one expense for our dairy farmer-members and so the Farm Services team created the Feed First program to bring awareness to the suite of services we have available to help our farmer-members optimize their feed purchasing. Join host Doug Dresslaer as he explores this new program with members of the Farm Services Team.

As we all start looking ahead to 2021, there’s no better time to reflect on where we’ve been — and that’s exactly what’s happening on this month’s episode of Talk Dairy to Me, DFA’s podcast about all things innovation. While we review applications of companies wanting to participate in DFA’s 2021 CoLAB Accelerator, a 90-day immersive program to grow ag-tech and dairy food product startups, we’re taking it back to the past. On this month’s episode, we’re chatting with three former CoLAB...

MAKING VIRTUAL A REALITY ON DFA’S PODCAST 2020 has been a year of challenges. This month’s episode of Talk Dairy to Me, DFA’s podcast featuring all things innovation, dives into one of those challenges — working virtually — and how teams across DFA have adapted to this new virtual reality. Our host, Doug Dresslaer, director of cultural innovation, kicks off the podcast by thanking those essential workers including our family farm-owners and employees who continue to head to work every day...

DAIRY FARMERS ARE THE ORIGINAL CONSERVATIONISTS ON DFA’S PODCAST It’s no secret that dairy farmers love their animals. What’s lesser-known is how much they care about the environment and the land that they — and all of us — depend on. Dairy farmers have always been stewards and conservationists of the land, with centuries-long traditions of caring for their animals and farming responsibly. They are also innovators, looking toward solutions for a more sustainable future. On this month’s...