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Wisconsin dairy producers elect 25 fellow producers, one from each district of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc. (WMMB) doing business as Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW), to administer the Wisconsin Chapter ATCP #144 (Milk Marketing Order).
Dairy Farmer of Wisconsin's primary mission is to "Grow demand for Wisconsin milk." Key Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin roles within Wisconsin’s dairy industry include: working to establish new markets, funding dairy-related research, educating consumers about the quality and nutritional importance of Wisconsin milk and dairy products, and showcasing the important economic contribution that dairy makes to our communities and our state.
Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin was established to help affect demand for dairy products. Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin began in 1983 when Wisconsin's dairy farmers voted to organize a mandatory state milk marketing order. Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin was created to:
By law, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin does not have the authority to:
Wisconsin's milk marketing order requires the election of a portion (8 or 9 directors) of the marketing board each year. Elected directors will serve a three-year term of office beginning July 1 of the year elected.
Only affected producers are eligible to nominate a director or be nominated. "Affected producer" is defined as an individual, partnership or other business entity in Wisconsin engaged in the production and sale of milk. Producers must reside in the district in which they are nominated.
Interested and eligible producers (nominees) must complete a Nomination Form, which must be signed by five or more affected producers residing within the nominee's district. An Affidavit of Eligibility (part of the nomination form) must be completed and notarized, and the completed nomination form must be mailed to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection within the stated nomination period.
Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin director candidates should have an understanding of:
The board exercises general supervision and control over Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin's business and affairs and discharges all duties as required by law. In addition, the board formulates and sets Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin policies. Directors make policies and procedures consistent with state law and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin's bylaws for management of business and guidance of the board committees, officers, employees and agents of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
The board approves Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin's long-range business plan and annual budget. Currently, individual directors serve on one of two standing committees: Channel Management or Communications. Some directors will also serve on the Executive, Audit, CDR Liaison or Policy/Bylaw Committees.
Most Board and standing committee meetings are held at the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin's office in Madison based on a fiscal-year schedule approved by the Board. Generally, one-day Board meetings are scheduled in January, March, April, June, July, and October; and two adjacent days of one-day standing committee meetings are held in September or November. However, all meeting dates, meeting length (one or two days), and meeting locations are subject to change.
A director averages 200 hours each year on Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin business, with the chairman and vice chairman committing significantly more time. Directors attend an average of two standing committee meetings and an average of six Board meetings each year. Participation on the Executive Committee and other special committees (e.g. Audit, Policy/Bylaw, CDR) will require additional meeting time. Considerable time may be spent preparing for these meetings by reviewing materials, program progress and budgets. Directors may also be asked to represent Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin at national, state and local industry meetings and events.
Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin recognizes that electronic communication is the quickest and most economical form of communication between directors and staff, so all directors are encouraged to have internet access.
Director Compensation
Because significant time is required for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin business, some directors must hire additional farm help while away on Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin business. Per diem payments help offset this extra expense. Directors are not compensated for time they spend reviewing material at home, preparing for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin meetings or responding to producer questions and concerns.
How is a director compensated?
Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin directors are not paid a salary. However, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin directors receive a per diem (daily wage) for time spent away from their farms while on Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin business. They are also reimbursed for expenses incurred while on Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin business. The compensation policy is reviewed annually by the Policy/Bylaw Committee.
Why are per diems needed and how are the rates set?
Chapter ATCP 140 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code states that a marketing board may pay for only those expenses that are "reasonable and necessary for the operation of the marketing board." Thus, the board developed Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin's per diem and expense policy to provide guidance on expense reimbursement.
Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin's mileage reimbursement rate for business miles shall equal the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Standard Mileage Rate. Effective 1/1/2024, the rate is $.67 per mile.
How are compensation policies enforced?
An Audit Committee, appointed by the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin's Executive Committee, reviews the director expense forms submitted by all directors at least semi-annually for compliance with board policies. Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin's Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration also reviews each board expense voucher during the processing of these payment requests for compliance with policies and fiscal procedures.
Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is audited annually by an independent accounting firm and all expense records are open to public inspection under Wisconsin's Open Records Law.