[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 82 (Tuesday, May 24, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3096-S3097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MICHIGAN MILK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

 Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
Michigan Milk Producers Association on the occasion of its 100th 
anniversary. Over a century ago, on May 23, 1916, some 400 dairy 
farmers from across southern Michigan met in East Lansing at the 
Michigan Agricultural College, spurred into action by their peers from 
Livingston County, who had just a month before raised a critical issue: 
the establishment of a fair price for their product. The result of 
their meeting was Michigan Milk Producers Association, MMPA.
  In the early 1900s, Michigan dairy farmers faced a variety of 
pressures, including the increasing costs of land, labor, and feed, 
which threatened the livelihood of many producers. Without a unified 
voice, farmers were confronted with growing difficulties in negotiating 
prices for their products which would cover their production costs. For 
many, the severity of these challenges was leading to the real 
possibility of the collapse of Michigan's dairy farm industry.
  Engaging in a cooperative endeavor, dairy farmers from Michigan 
sought to speak with one voice in their mission to secure a fair price 
for their products. As an organization for dairy farmers, open only to 
dairy farmers, MMPA immediately embarked on finding a resolution to 
this existential crisis. Within its first 5 months, MMPA membership 
swelled from just under 200 to nearly 1,000 milk producers from almost 
every county in southern Michigan. Within a year, MMPA successfully 
ensured a cost for milk that would support the livelihood of its 
members. With this vital goal met, MMPA stretched its efforts to 
include increasing the quality of its members' products, an effort that 
was vital to counter prevailing public opinion. By joining together, 
Michigan dairy farmers were also well positioned to work with the 
Federal Food and Drug Administration in its efforts to accommodate 
producers' price demands.
  As with all Americans, MMPA faced considerable hardship during the 
Great Depression. An overproduction of milk

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coupled with decreasing urban density, MMPA labored to formulate 
solutions for their crisis and create new innovations in the marketing 
of milk. Thanks to its efforts, many of MMPA's members were able to 
survive the Great Depression.
  From its early challenges, MMPA and its members have persevered. 
Today MMPA is a respected and recognized advocate for dairy farmers, 
representing 2,100 members across 1,400 farms from Michigan, Indiana, 
Ohio, and Wisconsin. It is the eleventh largest dairy cooperative in 
the United States, and its members market 4 billion pounds of milk 
annually.
  Again, I am pleased to rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing such an auspicious milestone for the Michigan Milk 
Producers Association. On its 100th anniversary, MMPA and its members 
have much to celebrate, and I wish them continuing success and 
prosperity in the years ahead.

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