Litchfield, Minnesota (9/12/2019) –  On Thursday, September 12th, President & CEO Bob Huffman, the First District Association Staff, and their honored guests officially broke ground on a monumental expansion project. First District Association, a grass roots dairy cooperative since 1921, is excited to continue to build infrastructure to ensure a viable future for our membership of over 700 dairy farm families.

Huffman announced an expected targeted commissioning date of Spring, 2021.  The new expansion includes several new processes and structures including a new cheese plant, cooler addition, lactose plant, and milk receiving facility.  Keeping technology and efficiency in mind, First District Association is slated to install the largest single cheese manufacturing processing line and largest cheese belt ever constructed. The expansion will add over 80,000 sq ft on the existing site.  Huffman gave thanks to the employees, the Board of Directors for their vision and leadership, the contractors for their past and future project success and the members of First District Association for their continued patronage. “We appreciate the city of Litchfield and the entire community and we look forward to a continued strong relationship for many years to come”.

Josh Barka, Chairman of the First District Association Board of Directors, stated that while the investment is significant, the decision to expand is imperative for the industry & community stakeholders, members, employees, and our customers. Continuing the long tradition of providing a sustainable milk market, quality dairy products, and the replacement of aging infrastructure and equipment is critical in maintaining the strength of our cooperative. Josh also gave thanks to the entire staff at First District Association, expressing the confidence in the team to complete a project of this magnitude.

Keith Johnson, Litchfield Mayor, in addition to John Nack representing Strack spoke briefly on the expansion project. It is indeed a historical day in the story of First District Association. Collaboratively, for all of the project stakeholders, it is exciting and rewarding to make an investment in the dairy industry and community that will last for generations to come.