Our Cooperative is owned by dairy farmers, for dairy farmers

Our Cooperative is owned by dairy farmers, for dairy farmers

We're a farmer-owned, leading global dairy cooperative working year-round to deliver wholesome dairy products to communities near and far — and to keep the family dairy farm alive and thriving. Fueled by the power of milk, our farmer-owners and Cooperative employees deliver sippable, scoopable, and snackable dairy goodness across the country and around the world.

We feed the world with delicious, real dairy

From our family farmer-owners to our dedicated Cooperative employees, every person in our organization plays an important role. Together, we share the power (and joys) of real dairy with families everywhere.

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    Milk, from farm to table

    Dairy is what we do. We're a farmer-owned cooperative moving milk from farm to table, including manufacturing fresh and high-quality dairy products for families to enjoy across the country and around the world. And we take measures to ensure the health, safety, and quality of our products at every step.

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    Innovative product manufacturing

    Milk is only the beginning. Once it's off the farm, our farmer-owners' milk becomes the delicious dairy products you use every day: butter, ice cream, sour cream, and so much more. Our Cooperative is constantly investing in innovative products and processes to continue bringing the best dairy has to offer right to your fridge.

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    We support farmers

    Our farmer-owners work hard to produce the best milk possible. In turn, DFA provides them with many services, resources, and benefits to help keep their operations running efficiently and profitably.

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What is a Cooperative?

A cooperative is an organization owned by and operated for the benefit of those using its services. In our case, we connect dairy farmers directly to consumers around the world to deliver fresh, flavorful dairy to their tables. 

Cooperative vs. corporation

A cooperative is an association of individuals voluntarily working together for mutual benefit. A corporation operates with the objective of earning a profit.

A farmer and operator have a discussion while standing in a field of grass.Cooperatives are fundamentally different from a typical corporation because they’re owned and democratically controlled by their members, meaning each member has an equal say in decision-making. On the other hand, a corporation's power is concentrated to shareholders based on their investment size.

Cooperatives prioritize the needs and benefits of their members over solely maximizing profit for outside investors. At DFA, we're owned by dairy farmers, governed by dairy farmers, and here for dairy farmers in all we do.

What makes DFA different

A young male farmer poses for a photo in front of a cow.Our 9,500 farmer-owners know they can achieve more by working together. Through services, resources, and support, our Cooperative helps ensure family dairy farms can remain family-owned, family-operated and can pass on their legacies to the next generation.

But we don't stop there. We empower our farmer-owners to be personally invested in every step we take as an organization, including our investments in dairy manufacturing plants and beloved dairy brands on grocery store shelves. And our DFA employees take pride in supporting these hardworking U.S. dairy farmers.

How we operate

Farmers pose with their children in a field of grass.DFA is owned and governed by family dairy farmers across the country. You could say we're fueled by the milk they produce! Every farmer-owner has representation from the grassroots level to our Board of Directors (they're farmer-owners, too!)

Our grassroots structure gives our farmer-owners hundreds of opportunities to get involved and have a say in what we do as elected leaders at various levels. And the 48 elected farmer-leaders that make up our Board of Directors provide guidance and oversight, ensuring that the Cooperative is collectively working toward our mission, vision, and values.

Committed to a better future

Committed to a better future

There's unmistakable goodness in every drop of real dairy. As a dairy cooperative, we're committed to matching that goodness in everything we do. From providing nourishment for a lifetime, enriching communities, driving innovation, and championing sustainability, our Cooperative leads the way in making a positive impact on our world and our future.

Discover our commitments

Our Leadership

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    From accountants and HR professionals to food scientists, drivers, on-farm field staff, machine operators, and more, our employees each play a critical role in supporting our family farmer-owners. Across hundreds of locations throughout the country, and even a few overseas, we work together to bring our farmer-owners value and nourish families around the world. It’s a shared purpose we all believe strongly in.

    Dennis Rodenbaugh, President and Chief Executive Officer
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Our Leadership

A culture as authentic as our dairy

A culture as authentic as our dairy

We do the most good when we work together. That's what being a cooperative is all about. Each farmer-owner and DFA employee brings a unique perspective, background, and voice to the table. And it's sharing these differences that fosters the rich, rewarding culture we celebrate and thrive on.

Learn about our culture
We're a community of dairy lovers proud to support family dairy farmers feeding the world, and we'd love for you to join us. Whether you're an ice cream connoisseur or enjoy the simple pleasure of a glass of milk, we've got the job, the culture, and all the delicious benefits to fit your style.

Careers at DFA

We're a community of dairy lovers proud to support family dairy farmers feeding the world, and we'd love for you to join us. Whether you're an ice cream connoisseur or enjoy the simple pleasure of a glass of milk, we've got the job, the culture, and all the delicious benefits to fit your style.

Explore careers