Home > For Dairy Farmers
Milking parlor and milk truck

For Dairy Farmers

The American Dairy Association Mideast is proud to serve dairy farm families in Ohio and West Virginia. We are a state and regional dairy farmer-funded promotion organization that works under a federation with Dairy Management Inc. to grow sales, build trust and position dairy in a global food system.

How the Dairy Checkoff Works

Dairy farmers pay 15 cents and dairy importers pay 7.5 cents for every hundred pounds of milk they sell or import into a generic dairy product promotion fund – commonly called the “dairy checkoff.”

That money – with USDA oversight – is used to fund programs aimed at promoting dairy consumption and protecting the positive image of dairy farmers, dairy foods and the dairy community.

Locally, ADA Mideast is governed by a Board of Directors who provide accountability to the dairy farmers they represent, set policy, approve program direction and establish budgets. Greg Conrad, a dairy farmer from New Holland, Ohio, serves as our chairman.

Your Checkoff Investment at Work

A stay-the-course mindset only gets you so far. Your checkoff is always innovating — growing export markets, investing in new business segments, backing up health benefits with research — to build trust and increase demand for U.S. dairy products.

Dairy Cow

Promotion Materials for Farmers

Cow erasers, pencils, key chains, buttons, magnets, coloring books and more — items for all ages!

Request Dairy Promotion Materials

Promotion Materials for Farmers

ADA Mideast offers videos, printable handouts, free materials and more to enhance dairy promotions in Ohio and West Virginia.

Order Materials

Conservation Grants

The Dairy Conservation Navigator, created by the dairy checkoff program, is an online resource hub providing information on sustainable farming practices and technologies. The site also includes a free Funding Opportunities Database , making it easier to find and apply for conservation grants that fit your farm.

Learn More
Various dairy ingredients

Innovate with Dairy

Created by the dairy checkoff program, the Innovate with Dairy tool is designed to be a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs seeking information about innovation in the dairy category. The site offers access to more than 250 vetted dairy resources to assist with idea development, product development and product launch.

Learn More

Dairy Farmer & Processor Grants

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) distributes grants to dairy farms and processors in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. DBIA is a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and the Center for Dairy Research, which is supported by dairy farmer checkoff dollars.

Learn More
West Virginia dairy farmer Greg Gibson's cows in the pasture

New World Screwworm

USDA, the FARM program, veterinary experts and industry partners have been preparing for the possibility of a New World screwworm infestation for more than a year. Dairy checkoff efforts remain focused on preparedness, close coordination with USDA and key stakeholders, and timely information sharing as the situation evolves.

Learn More

Affiliate Organizations

By working collaboratively across various research and promotion programs, we help ensure that dairy has a place at the table for generations to come. The dairy checkoff program funds the following organizations to provide valuable information and resources on dairy's nutritional value, health and wellness benefits, sustainability efforts and more.

Dairy Management Inc.
Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy
U.S. Dairy Export Council
National Dairy Council
National F.A.R.M. Program
Dairy Foods Research Centers

Stay Connected

If you are an Ohio or West Virginia dairy farmer, sign up for our monthly digital checkoff newsletter to stay up to date on your dairy checkoff investment! Prefer listening over reading? Tune in to the Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. 

Sign Up for our Newsletter