Tim and Megan on a trip to NMPF’s YC Dairy Policy & Legislative Forum in 2025

For Tim and Megan Schrupp, involvement has always been about giving back to an industry that has given so much to them. As the fourth generation on their farm, NexGen Dairy located in Central Minnesota, they milk 1,200 Jersey and Jersey cross cows three times a day and feel blessed to have the opportunity to farm.

Despite the demands of running a dairy farm, Tim and Megan continue to say “yes” to opportunities beyond the farm.

“We get so busy on our farms, and we forget that there’s so much happening outside the farm gate,” Megan said.

That mindset first led the Schrupps to become active in First District Association’s Young Cooperators program. This program offers young farmers the opportunity to gather a few times a year and network with each other. Through this, they built relationships with other farmers, learned more about the cooperative and developed leadership skills that eventually led them to run for National Milk Producers Federation’s National Young Cooperators Program where they served as Chairpeople in 2025.

Serving on the national board gave them the opportunity to connect with dairy farmers from every corner of the country. Meeting farmers from so many different areas helped Tim and Megan learn about similar challenges throughout the industry, but also some unique differences as well. Those conversations strengthen why the Schrupps believe involvement matters.

“As young farmers, if we don’t step into conversations, those conversations and those decisions, they happen without us,” Megan said.

Tim and Megan with youth they lease cattle to

For Tim and Megan, staying involved also means creating opportunities for others. Each summer, they lease cattle to around 10 youth, giving young people the chance to experience working in agriculture. Megan hopes those experiences help young people discover the same passion for agriculture that brought her back to the farm.

“They go back to their communities and share that story of their adventure with their family,” Megan said. “They get to see how much work it is to care for an animal and stimulates them to learn and pushes them outside their comfort zone.”

As Tim and Megan invest in developing future dairy leaders, they remain committed to continually implementing new technology and management practices on their farm. They recently implemented GEA’s new DigiFlow milk meter and sponsor technology which allows precise monitoring of the milking process and finer tuning of milk quality and cow health. Megan also combines her veterinary background with specializing in chiropractic care to help better the health of their cows.

While technology has transformed the dairy industry over the years, Megan believes the values behind work remain unchanged.

“The care for the cows, the passion and the drive to care for the animals and land; that has not changed,” Megan said.

Whether they are representing First District on a national level, mentoring the next generation, or finding ways to improve their herd, Tim and Megan are focused on building a stronger future for dairy.

“Everybody has different time and talents and different gifts that they can offer one another,” Megan said. “It’s amazing what we can build and do when people share those things with one another…that’s how memories are made and community is built.”