The Young Cooperator of the Year award is announced at our annual Winter Conference each year. This award is given out to a couple or individual who exhibit a strong passion for the dairy industry. They are actively involved on their farm, in dairy and other agriculture related organizations, and in their local community.
Tim and Megan Schrupp receiving their award at the First District Association annual awards banquet celebration on January 4.
This year’s 2025 Young Cooperator of the Year award was presented to Tim & Megan Schrupp of Eden Valley, MN.
Tim and Megan, along with Megan’s parents, own and run NexGen Dairy; a third-generation family dairy farm. The farm is home to 1,200 cows, along with all the young stock being raised on site. The Schrupps grow and harvest their own crops to be used on the dairy. Utilizing cutting-edge advancements in technology, research and information, NexGen Dairy is constantly striving for improvement. This includes the use of solar panels to help power part of their facility.
The couple has served on the Young Cooperator Board with First District Association since 2014. Through their time they have not only taken part in the local cooperative events but have also taken trips to National Milk’s Annual Meeting and Conference and have traveled to Washington D.C. to advocate for the dairy industry.
Outside of cooperative activities, this couple remains very active. Within the industry, Tim and Megan have served on their local American Dairy Association board spearheading successful farm to community events which continue today. Megan has also served on the dairy checkoff program as an ex-officio board member of the Minnesota Division of Midwest Dairy and took part in their DEAL Leadership Program. These leadership roles have given them the opportunity to learn from other fellow dairy farmers both locally and beyond on their triumphs and struggles. They have also served on the Minnesota Guernsey Breeders Board for several years now.
Tim and Megan with their 4-H lease kids.
Tim and Megan have opened their doors and lease cattle to 15 local 4-H youth each year – sponsoring them to show at the local county fair, Minnesota State Fair, and other shows throughout the summer. It is truly evident how much passion they have for developing the future generation of the agriculture industry.
This couple’s nominator wrote was, “They would not only look forward to sharing their experiences and challenges with others, but would very much like to learn and listen from others—what challenges they have, their experiences and their passions for dairy. They are very strong advocates for the dairy industry, and dairy’s essential role in nutrition, the global economy, sustainability and our country and hope to share that passion with others to further strengthen the dairy industry in the future of our country.”
The National Young Cooperators (YC) Program provides up-and-coming leaders in the dairy industry with a better understanding of issues facing farmers and cooperatives. The program, managed by the National Milk Producers Federation, provides year-round educational opportunities to inform and build leadership abilities in the next generation of dairy farmers.
Here at First District Association, our Young Cooperator Board consists of couples and individuals under the age of 45. This group meets and plans various events throughout the year including a Bingo Night where food shelf donations are taken to give to the Melrose Area Food Shelf, a summer picnic hosted at one of our member-owners farms and have the opportunity to attend National Young Cooperator events.