Edge provides value to members, vision for the future

By Dale Beaty, director of member relations

Each year, Edge conducts a member survey which gives members an opportunity to express their opinions and influence the direction of the organization. This year’s survey was conducted between May and November and asked members to respond to six questions. About 13% of members completed the survey, and here is what they had to say.

Ninety-nine percent of Edge members are satisfied or very satisfied with the value Edge provides them. That’s truly an amazing level of member satisfaction.

When it comes to the value-added services Edge provides, members are, by a wide margin, most aware of newsletter articles, webinars and podcasts (92%), and the least aware of the six farmer-led conservation groups we support in Wisconsin through our involvement in Farmers for Sustainable Food (FSF). The mission of FSF is to empower farmers to develop and implement practical, innovative solutions collaboratively for environmental, economic and social good. To learn more, you can visit the group’s website at www.farmersforsustainablefood.com.   

We asked what other value-added services members would like Edge to provide. They responded with succession planning (40%), completing and securing regulatory and environmental permits (37%), none (31%), and creating a farm business plan and employee management training (both at 28%). 

Despite all the unique circumstances the pandemic provided dairy farmers over the past two years, Edge members are very optimistic. When considering the future success of their farm, 60% are more optimistic and 40% are less optimistic. 

There is an undeniable symbiotic relationship between dairy farmers and the plants that process their milk. When it comes to strengthening that relationship, Edge members want more transparent communication from processors on significant changes to their milk check price, how their milk is priced by the processor, and an explanation of how milk markets and Federal Order pooling impacts their pay price. Members want this  communication to be in person from a processor representative.

Finally, when it comes to nutrient or carbon trading markets, 46% of members are interested in monetizing carbon markets, 43% haven’t heard of or don’t have any interest in nutrient or carbon trading, 39% are interested in monetizing nutrient trading, while 7% are already participating in nutrient trading and 6% are already participating in carbon trading.

Edge’s mission is to amplify the voice of milk – the voice of our members – in Congress, with customers and in our communities to deliver maximum value and positive outcomes for dairy farmers. We ask for your feedback because your opinions are truly valued. Thank you to those who participated in this year’s survey. Our entire staff is available to provide personal attention to you as issues, beyond your scope of expertise and influence, arise. Please feel free to contact me at dbeaty@voiceofmilk.com if you have questions or need more information regarding Edge’s work.