Awardees will be recognized at WCMA Annual Member Meeting October 21st
MADISON, WI – Four exceptional dairy processors have earned Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association’s (WCMA) inaugural Member Impact Awards. On October 21, these member organizations will be honored at the WCMA Annual Member Meeting, highlighting their work to empower employees, better their communities and uplift the entire dairy industry.
“WCMA members are leaders not just in dairy processing, but in fostering a stronger, healthier, and more resilient industry,” said WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer. “These winners truly demonstrate the spirit of these awards, and we’re proud to celebrate their positive impact.”
Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative is being honored with the WCMA Advocate of the Year Award for its outstanding leadership in advancing dairy industry interests at the state and federal levels. In the past year, Organic Valley staff and farmer-members engaged policymakers through multiple D.C. fly-ins, legislative testimony, and farm visits, advocating for critical programs such as the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives. These efforts amplified farmer voices, fostered industry partnerships, and ensured strong policy support for all dairy processors and organic producers.
Masters Gallery Foods will receive the WCMA Employer of the Year Award, recognizing organizations that excel in human resources and workplace safety, fostering inclusive and supportive work environments. Masters Gallery offers robust wellness programs, leadership development opportunities, and transparent communication channels that empower employees to thrive. Recent honors, including the Safety Leader Award from the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce, highlight a culture where safety is a core value and employees are celebrated, supported, and given opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. Masters Gallery has also played a role in advancing industry-wide safety practices, contributing to the development of a machine safeguarding guide for cheese converters and equipment manufacturers – a resource that strengthens workplace safety standards across the dairy sector.
Agropur is the winner of this year’s WCMA Sustainable Stewardship Award. Celebrated for years of leadership in environmental stewardship, Agropur continues to advance sustainability from farm to processing plant. Through its initiatives with dairy producers, renewable energy investments, and innovative projects like converting dairy by-products into value-added products, the cooperative demonstrates measurable impacts in reducing emissions and conserving resources. Agropur also leads by example in wastewater treatment and energy efficiency, openly sharing its expertise to elevate sustainability practices across the dairy industry.
Nasonville Dairy will receive the WCMA Culture of Excellence Award in 2025 for its deep and sustained commitment to community betterment through both volunteer leadership and philanthropic giving. Nasonville employees serve in key roles across local and state organizations, from youth programs to veteran support, while the company itself contributes generously to initiatives spanning health care, education, and agricultural youth development. Together, these efforts reflect a culture of service and social responsibility that strengthens both the dairy industry and the communities it serves.
“Thanks go to all of the WCMA members who nominated companies and cooperatives for recognition in 2025, and to the leaders of WCMA’s Membership Committee for their careful consideration of all applications,” said Sara Schmidt, WCMA Membership Director. “We look forward to saluting this year’s awards recipients – and to highlighting the outstanding work of many other businesses in the years to come.”
All awardees will be formally announced and celebrated at WCMA’s Annual Member Meeting on October 21 in Green Bay, WI. Registration for the event is open to WCMA members now through October 6 at WisCheeseMakers.org/Events.
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