Janet Clark Re-Elected as Chair of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin
The Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) Board of Directors has announced the re-election of Janet Clark as Board Chair for the fiscal year 2027. This marks her fifth consecutive term in this leadership position. The decision was made during the board's annual July election meeting held in Madison.
The board's Executive Committee for FY 2027 includes Jonathon Hallock as Vice Chair, Sandra Madland as Secretary, and Mark Crave as Treasurer. Additionally, the board has appointed committee chairs for various operational areas: Kristen Metcalf for Communications, Carolyn Alsteen for Channel Management, Andrew Christenson for Policy/Bylaws, and Ali Straschinske for Center for Dairy Research Liaison.
Three new directors, Evan Hillan, Bruce Gumz, and Patrick R. Schroeder, were officially seated on the board. These new members represent Districts 1, 8, and 22, respectively. Simultaneously, seven incumbent directors were re-elected to serve additional three-year terms, ensuring continuity in leadership.
The DFW board, comprised of 25 farmer-elected directors from various geographic districts across Wisconsin, is responsible for overseeing organizational policy, approving long-range marketing plans, and monitoring checkoff investments. The board collaborates with regional processors, retail partners, and institutions like the Center for Dairy Research at UW-Madison to boost the commercial competitiveness of Wisconsin's dairy industry.
The re-election of Janet Clark underscores the organization's commitment to farmer-led governance amid changing consumer trends and market dynamics. The board aims to enhance market access, foster consumer trust, and increase demand for Wisconsin milk and cheese products through strategic allocation of dairy checkoff dollars.
