Our Culture | Dairy Farmers of America

At DFA, our culture starts with our farmer-owners. Their dedication inspires everything we do — from nourishing families with the goodness of real dairy to building a workplace rooted in collaboration, pride, and purpose.

DFA's mission and vision

Through our mission, vision, and values, our cooperative of dairy farm families feeds the world, champions sustainability, drives innovation, supports local communities, and helps to foster a culture where the next generation of dairy farmers thrive. All so we can share the simple pleasures and nutrition of real dairy with people like you everywhere.

Mission

Deliver Value to Our Family Farm-Owners as a Leading Global Dairy Cooperative

Vision

Enriching Communities and Consumers' Lives Through All the Possibilities of Dairy

Our Values

We're all about making a positive impact on the world, fueled by the dedication and spirit of our hardworking farmer-owners (and milk, of course). Our shared values help bring us closer together and make our Cooperative something to be proud of.

Integrity

We act ethically in all matters — without exception.
Passion

We are passionate about the land and animals we care for, the employees we work with, and the communities we serve.
Quality

We are committed to the quality of our farms, our plants, our products, our brands, our services, and our way of doing business.
Community

We are a community bound by our shared values. This connection inspires us to be an integral part of all the communities we touch, starting with the local towns where we live and work, to the communities we reach with our products.

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Staying active in our communities

We proudly support the communities where we live and work, and we give back to them in many ways.

DFA employees volunteer their time and provide milk to families in need through local food drives.
Through our DFA Cares Foundation, DFA donates nutritious dairy and food products to food pantries for those in need.
DFA supports hunger relief efforts throughout the United States by donating gallons of milk.

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Everyone belongs here at DFA

Community is our strength

Collaboration and innovation aren't possible without the perspectives our our farmer-owners, employees, and partners. That's why DFA fosters a rich culture of belonging — without it, there is no forward-thinking.

Our community champions

Across our Cooperative, employees participate as community champions who foster a welcoming culture through employee engagement and recognition activations, local community engagement, and cross-collaboration.

Partnering for our people

We partner with organizations that align with our values and support our goals, constantly striving to build deeper, more inclusive connections. Through these partnerships, we enhance brand awareness and strengthen relationships with our communities through outreach, volunteering, networking events, scholarships, and grants.

Fostering connection with employee resource groups

We support and uplift all employees throughout our Cooperative with the help of our employee resource groups.

Growing Professionals (GroPro)

Supporting early-in-career professionals, GroPro empowers our young employees — helping them grow their confidence and leadership skills.
EmpowHER

Through support and resources, EmpowHER fosters a supportive and equitable atmosphere for DFA women from coast-to-coast.
Mosaic

Supporting each of our employees' unique cultures and ethnicities allows us to continue fostering a diverse, equitable working environment.
Veterans and Military Personnel

Honoring and supporting our veterans, military personnel, and their families is a value close to our hearts at DFA. We offer support and services to these groups for their contributions to our country.

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We all play a role in building an environment that enables everyone to reach their full potential and be champions for change.
Cherrese Belt, Director, Human Resources and Community Engagement, Dallas, Texas
From the very beginning of my career at DFA, I experienced a culture of teamwork and support that continues to this day. Everyone has taught me so much, and I've had the opportunity to get to know our leaders as people, not just colleagues. This supportive and engaging environment is a testament to the strong, collaborative culture at DFA.
Chelsea Bovey, executive assistant, St. Louis Park, Minn.
When I joined DFA, I thought this was a place I was going to be in for a long time. Eighteen years later, I am still here. To do the job I do, you have to be certified as a forklift driver and meet other requirements, and you can get all of these certifications through DFA. I take full advantage of everything available at DFA because I have a family to support.
Vincent Jones, Cooler Lead, Orlando, Fla.