Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Announces Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Committee and Welcomes Incoming Directors

 

 

The Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) Board of Directors announces its fiscal year 2027 executive committee and welcomes newly elected directors to its 25-member board. Together, they serve through June 30, 2027, with a continued focus on responsibly investing dairy farmer checkoff dollars, building consumer trust and growing demand for Wisconsin dairy. 

The board re-elected Janet Clark of District 16 from Eldorado as board chair for a fifth consecutive term. 

“It is an honor to continue serving as Board Chair and representing Wisconsin’s hardworking dairy farmers,” said Clark. “Together, our board and the DFW team remain committed to ensuring farmers are at the center of our work as we strengthen trust, expand markets and create new opportunities for Wisconsin dairy.” 

The board elected the following dairy farmers to serve alongside Clark on the Executive Committee: 

• ·                Jonathon Hallock, District 13 from Mondovi, vice chair 
• ·                Sandra Madland, District 15 from Lyndon Station, secretary 
• ·                Mark Crave, District 19 from Watertown, treasurer 
• ·                Kristen Metcalf, District 25, communications committee chair 
• ·                Carolyn Alsteen, District 2, channel management committee chair 
• ·                Andrew Christenson, District 4, policy/bylaw committee chair 
• ·                Ali Straschinske, District 5, Center for Dairy Research liaison committee chair 

During its July annual election meeting, the board also welcomed three new directors: Evan Hillan of District 1 from Ladysmith, Bruce Gumz of District 8 from Dorchester, and Patrick R. Schroeder of District 22 from Lancaster. 

Seven directors were re-elected to additional three-year terms: Andrew Christenson of District 4 from Amery; David Bangart of District 7 from Greenwood; Tasha Schleis of District 10 from Kewaunee; Jonathon Hallock of District 13 from Mondovi; Janet Clark of District 16 from Eldorado; Mark Crave of District 19 from Watertown; and Kristen Metcalf of District 25 from Milton. 

Together, these directors represent dairy farmers across 27 Wisconsin counties, helping ensure DFW’s work reflects the priorities and perspectives of Wisconsin dairy farmers. 

“The leadership and firsthand experience our directors bring to the board are essential to delivering meaningful results for Wisconsin dairy farmers,” said Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. “Their perspectives help guide our priorities, strengthen accountability and ensure our work continues to build trust and drive demand for Wisconsin dairy throughout the state, across the country and around the world.” 

Twenty-five farmer-elected directors serve three-year terms and represent Wisconsin’s diverse dairy-producing regions. The board shapes DFW’s marketing strategies, establishes organizational policies, approves long-range business plans and budgets, and ensures responsible stewardship of dairy farmer checkoff funds. Directors work closely with DFW’s professional staff in marketing, communications and research to support high-impact programming that elevates Wisconsin dairy. 

As Wisconsin’s dairy marketing and promotion organization, DFW works on behalf of the state’s dairy farmers to grow demand for Wisconsin cheese and other dairy products. The organization also supports dairy education in schools and collaborates with the Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison to advance dairy innovation.

Visit WisconsinDairy.org/board for the complete list of board members. 

To receive updates on DFW programs, promotions and industry news, subscribe to the monthly farmer newsletter at WisconsinDairy.org or follow Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin on Facebook.