Dale & Lynnae Dick named 2025 MMPA Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators
September 25, 2025 | 2 min to read
Dale and Lynnae Dick have been named the 2025 Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators by the Michigan Milk Producers Association. They operate Dick Haven Dairy LLC, a multi-generational farm in McBain, Michigan, milking 300 cows and managing 1,200 acres since 1890. Their focus on transparency, education, and responsible management promotes high standards of animal welfare. Mason and Whitney Smith are the runners-up, alongside finalist Carson Evans, highlighting a commitment to nurturing future leadership within the dairy industry.
NOVI, Mich. — The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) is pleased to announce Dale and Lynnae Dick as the 2025 Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators (OYDC). Dale farms alongside his brother, Mark, and father, Gordon, on their sixth-generation farm, Dick Haven Dairy LLC, located in McBain, Michigan. As the winning cooperators, Dale and Lynnae will represent MMPA at various industry and association activities.
Dick Haven Dairy milks 300 Jersey and Holstein cows and operates 1,200 acres. Established in 1890, the farm has long been a cornerstone of the community, with the Dicks actively sharing their dedication to caring for their animals and the land.
“On our farm we focus on transparency, education and responsible management,” Dale said. “We emphasize that we are a family farm, and like the families we serve, we consume the products we produce. This connection motivates us to maintain high standards of animal welfare and environmental stewardship.”
Alongside Dale and Lynnae, Mason and Whitney Smith of Homer, Michigan, will serve as the 2025 runner-up cooperators. At Smith Farms, they milk 200 cows and operate 1,000 acres. Finalist Carson Evans, a second-generation farmer from Litchfield, Michigan, milks 220 cows and operates 1,200 acres with his family. Selection of the OYDC is done by a selection committee representing leaders in the Great Lakes dairy industry. Applicant’s farming operations, farm-related and community activities and demonstrated leadership abilities are considered during the process.
“The OYDC program is a fundamental tool in encouraging young dairy cooperators to network and learn more about their cooperative to help identify future leaders and recognize their efforts,” Doug Chapin, MMPA board chairman, said. Chapin and his wife, Cheri, were the MMPA OYDC runners-up in 1990.
MMPA has been identifying future leaders through the OYDC program since 1950. The purpose of the program is to strengthen leadership abilities in young farmers, broaden young farmers’ knowledge of milk marketing and MMPA, and recognize the abilities and stewardship of young dairy farmers. This honor highlights the Dicks’ and Smiths’ dedication to strengthening their farming operations, making a difference in their communities and providing leadership in the industry.
About Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA)
The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) is a member-owned and operated milk marketing cooperative known for producing high-quality, award-winning dairy products. Established in 1916, MMPA is the 9th largest U.S. dairy farmer-owned cooperative serving members in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin. At MMPA, commitment to milk quality begins on the farm and extends through all four of their SQF version 9.0 certified processing facilities: a cheese plant in Indiana, a dairy product plant in Ohio and two dairy ingredient plants in Michigan.