St. Cloud Civic Center • St. Cloud, MN www.mnmilk.org/midwestdairyexpo
November 29-30, 2011
December 8-9, 2009 St. Cloud Convention Center • St. Cloud, MN
Civic Center • St. Cloud, MN SecuringSt.aCloud Bright Future www.mnmilk.org/midwestdairyexpo
December 8-9,
www.mnmilk.org/midwestdairyexpo
Networking Opportunities • Educational Programming • Progressive Trade Show
St. Cloud Civic Center • St. Cl www.mnmilk.org/midwestda
Sponsored by:
Come and Securing Go with a Bright Future
Securing a Bright
The Voice of Minnesota’s Dairy Industry
Networking Opportunities • Educational Programming • Progressive Trade Show
an All-New FREE Show!
Networking Opportunities • Educational Programming •
The Midwest Dairy Expo is coordinated by the Events and Education Committee of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association.
The Voice of Minnesota’s Dairy Industry
Small changes, big difference Free event and schedule change make expo more accessible
The Midwest Dairy ExpoChange is coordinated the Events and Education Committee of th inbythe schedule
followed by the banquet; however, this year there will not be a formal sit-down meal. “We keep hearing from producers that the No. 1 reason why they go is because they have the opportunity to talk to people they haven’t seen in a year,” Lefebvre said. “This idea is trying to create more of a flow and an opportunity for producers to talk to each other, network and learn more.” Following the auction, which raises
By krista m. sheehan Staff writer
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The Midwest Dairy Expo has kept a consistent goal since it’s inception in 2003. “Our mission is to provide a venue where dairy producers can come together to learn cutting edge information to help them on their farming operations,” said Bob Lefebvre, executive director for the Minnesota Milk Producers Association. “It’s also an opportunity to network with others in the industry and other dairy producers to celebrate what they do – dairy farming. They don’t take enough time to do that.” Keeping this mission in mind, the planning committee decided to make some changes to the Midwest Dairy Expo, which will be Nov. 29-30 at the St. Cloud Convention Center in St. Cloud, Minn. This year’s theme is “Road to Success.” “We made a few small changes we think will make a big difference in making it more accessible to producers,” Lefebvre said. A free event The Expo – planned by MMPA, the University of Minnesota Extension and select dairy producers and industry representatives – will be free for all attendees. “To see the trade show … and the educational breakout sessions won’t cost them a dime. The only cost will be food,” Lefebvre said. The free Expo is different than in the past. Last year, there was a fee to
The following evening on Tuesday
The Midwest Dairy Expo is coordinated by the Events and Education Committee of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association. normally brings the scholarship auction
See Small changes | Page 2
photo submitted
The Midwest Dairy Expo will be free for all attendees this year. People who attend the expo will be able to visit with over 120 exhibitors that will be sharing their products and services. see the educational seminars. Before that, attendees were charged for both the seminars and trade show. “This year we wanted to make the Expo more accessible to people whether they wanted to come for an hour or two, or a night or two,” Lefebvre said. People who attend the Midwest Dairy Expo will be able to visit with over 120 exhibitors at the trade show who are sharing their products and services. There will also be eight speakers throughout the course of the Expo who will be presenting 12 educational breakout sessions and two keynote seminars. A MDX first For the first time, the free Expo will also include a pre conference executives workshop. Mike Knisely from
OSH, Inc., will present, “Ready or Not, Get Ready for OSHA” from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 28, the day before the Expo starts. “It’s important to make sure you’re OSHA compliant and know what the regulations are,” Lefebvre said. “We’ve been hearing more and more about the possibility of OSHA inspections on dairy operations with seven or more employees. Even if you don’t have that many, you’re still at risk for workers comp and other liability issues.” People who want to attend this pre conference workshop must pre register for the Expo. A welcome reception that evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. is also available to Expo attendees who pre register.
What’s Inside...
Small changes, big difference........ Pages 1-3 Free educational opportunities..............Page 7 The Johnny Appleseed of agriculture............. Pages 8-9 Learning to live intelligently..............Page 13 Seminar schedule.....Page 14 Expo sponsors and exhibitors..................Page 15 Expo sponsors..........Page 22 About the speakers...Page 26 Scholarship Auction... Page 28