April 29, 2026 – DAIRY NEWS – The ninth annual “Plant a Seed” campaign supporting Dairy’s Foundation raised over $42,000 to support programs that develop dairy leaders, strengthen on-farm skills and build stronger connection between dairy producers and their communities.
Three companies — Grassland Dairy Products, Mullins Cheese and Pipping Concrete, Inc. — provided leadership as the campaign’s “industry heroes” by matching donations from individuals, farms and businesses.
“Grassland Dairy Products is proud to support Dairy’s Foundation and its Plant a Seed initiative as an investment in the future of the dairy industry. This pledge reflects our shared commitment to education, leadership development, and stewardship, values that have long defined dairy communities,” said Westin Wuethrich, National Sales Manager Director of Marketing, Grassland Dairy Products, Inc. “By supporting programs that prepare the next generation of dairy professionals, strengthen producer skills, and promote sustainable practices, we are helping ensure the industry remains innovative, resilient, and thriving for years to come.”
For more than 20 years, Dairy’s Foundation has been focused on raising funds and awarding grants to support educational and sustainability initiatives for the dairy industry and those it impacts. It is the only public-held national foundation supporting dairy education and initiatives across the entire dairy industry food chain.
Since its founding, the Dairy’s Foundation has invested more than $370,000 in programs that support the future of dairy, including hands-on education and leadership development events and grants to organizations across the country. Dairy’s Foundation also supports educational efforts that teach stewardship, promote conservation and equip producers to care for the environment with the same dedication they bring to their animals and communities, investing over $680,000 in environmental stewardship related programs.
“Mullins Cheese supports the “Plant a Seed” campaign because it is a valuable resource for dairy producers of all sizes to network and participate in educational experiences,” said Josh Mullins, plant manager and co-owner, Mullins Cheese. “These experiences are important for the next generation to be successful.”
One of the key programs supported by Dairy’s Foundation is the PDP Mentor Program which matches college, short course and technical school students with dairy producers to gain firsthand, on-farm experiences. Over its 30 years, the mentor program has paired 1,110 students with experienced producers who offer guidance, encouragement and a vision for what’s possible in dairy’s future.
“At Pipping Concrete, we firmly believe that investing in knowledge is investing in the future, and we’re honored to do our part to help the dairy industry continue to thrive,” said Jake Theyerl, general manager, Pipping Concrete, Inc.
Dairy’s Foundation was originally founded in 2002 as the charitable arm of Professional
Dairy Producers® (PDP) and has supported hundreds of programs and thousands of dairy producers since its formation. Learn more at www.DairyFoundation.org.
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