History
The Missouri Dairy Products Association is a nonprofit created to represent dairy processors, distributors and allied trades within the state of Missouri. The MPDA was created to serve as a voice of the dairy industry and is a great networking organization that helps develop lifelong relationships.
Mission/Purpose
Our purpose is to protect, promote, foster and advance the interest of the Dairy Industry of Missouri; to increase the consumption of dairy products; to promote harmonious relations between the several branches of the dairy industry; to promote high ethical standards of business practices and relationships; to cooperate with public officials and other interested in the welfare of the general public; and to carry on such activities as may promote the general welfare of the public and of the industry. Click here to see the Economic Contribution of the Missouri Dairy Product Manufacturing Industry.
Board of Directors
President – Greg Helbig, Hiland Dairy
Vice President – Joe Brinker, Dairy Farmers of America
Secretary/Treasurer – Bill Wilberding, Prairie Farms Dairy
Board Member/Legislative/Scholarship – Chris Hackman, Prairie Farms Dairy
Board Member/Nominations/Scholarship – Pete Hood, IFF/Danisco
Board Member/Auditor/Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors – Jon Bebermeyer, Dairy Farmers of America
Board Member – Kevin Harrah, Corbion Food Ingredients
Vice President – Joe Brinker, Dairy Farmers of America
Secretary/Treasurer – Bill Wilberding, Prairie Farms Dairy
Board Member/Legislative/Scholarship – Chris Hackman, Prairie Farms Dairy
Board Member/Nominations/Scholarship – Pete Hood, IFF/Danisco
Board Member/Auditor/Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors – Jon Bebermeyer, Dairy Farmers of America
Board Member – Kevin Harrah, Corbion Food Ingredients
Constitution and Bylaws
Click here to view the Missouri Dairy Products Association's constitution and bylaws.
Scholarships
A scholarship fund was established in February 2009 by MDPA in memory of Don Kullmann, who was instrumental in establishing a scholarship program within MDPA. This fund honors his commitment to education and the dairy industry. Recipients must be enrolled in food science and plan to pursue a career in the dairy industry. Preference is given to students who have family members involved in the dairy industry as a processor or supplier to the dairy industry, who maintain a 3.0 GPA and are active members of the University of Missouri Dairy Products Judging Team.
Recipients
2020-2021: Hannah Kirisits, Claire Luebbering, Allison Martin, Samantha Morris
2019: Hunter Rohlf, Brandon Mallinckrodt, Jackson Weskamp and Allison Martin
2017: Rachael Miller, Richard Rycraw, Hannah Hercher and Isabel McNeill
2016: Adam Berge, Julianna Kubiak, Rachael Miller and Ryan Meyers
2015: Charles Hall, Abby Hall and Julianna Kubiak
2014: Molly Higgins and Vivian Hor
2013: Sara Spoede, Helena M. Gillette and Madelyn Faust
2012: Sara Spoede and Helena M. Gillette
2011: Rachel Stevick
2010: Alexis Brown, Kimberly McGrath and Jessica Roark
2009: Dana Madden, Kimberly McGrath and Candice Schroepfer
2019: Hunter Rohlf, Brandon Mallinckrodt, Jackson Weskamp and Allison Martin
2017: Rachael Miller, Richard Rycraw, Hannah Hercher and Isabel McNeill
2016: Adam Berge, Julianna Kubiak, Rachael Miller and Ryan Meyers
2015: Charles Hall, Abby Hall and Julianna Kubiak
2014: Molly Higgins and Vivian Hor
2013: Sara Spoede, Helena M. Gillette and Madelyn Faust
2012: Sara Spoede and Helena M. Gillette
2011: Rachel Stevick
2010: Alexis Brown, Kimberly McGrath and Jessica Roark
2009: Dana Madden, Kimberly McGrath and Candice Schroepfer
University of Missouri Internship Referral Program
If you are a member of MDPA, you can contact the University of Missouri to request candidate referrals for internship positions you are looking to fill within your organization.
Food Science Program Contacts from the University of Missouri:
Food Science Program Contacts from the University of Missouri:
Ingolf Gruen, Ph.D.
- Associate Professor, Food Science Program Chair - University of Missouri
- Email: GruenI@missouri.edu
- Phone: (573) 882-6746
- Address: 251A William Stringer Wing (of Eckles Hall)
Bongkosh Vardhanabhuti, Ph.D.
- Food Science Assistant Professor
- Email: VardhanabhutiB@missouri.edu
- Phone: (573) 882-1374
- Address: 255 William Stringer Wing (of Eckles Hall)
If you are interested in Ag Economists, Ag Engineering or others students, you can contact the University of Missouri's CAFNR Career Services by clicking here.
Legislative Updates
Click here to access the 2014 Spring Meeting Report.
Click here to access MDPA's 2018 letter of objection to the proposed rescission of the Unfair Milk Sales Practices Act.
Click here to access the 2021 Fall Meeting Report.
Click here to access the 2022 Fall Meeting Report.
Click here to access MDPA's 2018 letter of objection to the proposed rescission of the Unfair Milk Sales Practices Act.
Click here to access the 2021 Fall Meeting Report.
Click here to access the 2022 Fall Meeting Report.
