Who We Are
First District Association is an independent dairy cooperative that maximizes returns for its producers and employees through innovation and by providing superior quality products to a global market.
Play VideoOur Vision
First District Association (FDA) will be the preferred market of choice for dairy producers. FDA will produce high quality dairy and food products being the ultimate supplier of choice exceeding customer expectations. FDA will have a reputation for innovation, quality, production, efficiency, profitability, strong financial independence and growth.
Our Values
Integrity
Consistently doing what is right
No matter the opposing pressures and temptations, we strive to do the right thing-always. By doing so we celebrate candor and work to continually develop strength, courage, assertiveness and a humble, self-confidence. It is lived through our dairy farmer owner values that demands full accountability in everything we do.
People
Relationships upstage transactions
Above all else, we care for each other; member owners, industry professionals, customers, employees and community. We will be empathetic to the frailties of the human condition; present to lend a hand, active in listening and quick to forgive. Our team will consistently promote self-development and support the personal health and wellness for everyone. Abiding by the rule that business is people and therefore are in the people business.
Excellence
If we do it, we do it well
We do not desire to live ordinary, mediocre lives. We search for opportunities to do more and be better, repeatedly holding ourselves to a high standard – never making excuses. We commit to the relentless pursuit of extraordinary accomplishments through a culture of continuous improvement.
Responsibility
We act as Owners
As a grassroots member owned cooperative, enhancing our business and the lives of our stakeholders is our initiative. We understand the importance of our individual contributions and willingly stand behind our work and member owners.
Our History
Play Video
1894
Litchfield, MN Creamery Cooperative formed
1921
Upon the heels of legislation in Washington, D.C. passing the Cooperative Movement, John Brandt (local dairy farmer) encouraged 11 Creameries to come together to enhance efficiencies and profits for local farmers. The Cooperative Creameries Association, Unit #1, hence First District Association (FDA), was formed.
1926
The first buttermilk drying plant was constructed. Another drying plant would come along in 1942 to dry skim milk. Economic conditions in the mid 1930’s reached a low point. However, all creameries voted to remain open out of dedication to the dairy farmers.
1950
The first bulk milk trucks were purchased and the phasing out of the milk can began. FDA discontinued receiving milk cans completely in 1971. A new whey plant was also under construction.
1965
Cartons of powdered milk were shipped all over the world to such places as Saigon, Rio de Janiero, Bogota, Israel and Tanzania with the caption “donated by the people of the United States” printed in 13 languages.
1975
FDA discontinued manufacturing butter and converted to cheese and whey products.
1984
A new evaporator was installed making FDA the most modern and energy efficient plant in the world, attracting worldwide interest. A modern six bay milk receiving facility was constructed.
1997
Modernization was the theme in the mid 90’s in which we worked to become fully automated by adding robots like “Oscar” to help modernize the powder packaging line. The Cheese Plant also saw a lot of modernization at this time in which we added onto our cheese cooler, added a new cheese belt and replaced the cheese finishing tables with seven new cheese vats.
2001
Continued growth allows us to add six new cheese towers, four new vacuum chambers as well as a brand new packaging line for our Lactose and Whey Protein Concentrate.
2005
A state of the art laboratory and research center was constructed.
2010
A new 42,000 sq. ft. cheese cooler, central ammonia glycol plant as well as the infrastructure of our new milk processing plant was completed.
2012
We are now able to process 5 million pounds of milk per day with the commissioning of our new Milk Processing Plant, in which we added two new cheese vats and new Whey UF equipment.
2017
An expansion project was completed that allowed us to process 5.5 million pounds of milk per day, with the addition of a cheese tower, a new Cheese Vat and a new Cream HTST and Milk HTST.
2018
Our new state of the art Whey Protein drying plant was commissioned in the Fall of 2018, which includes a new warehouse to store our Protein Powder. We also completed construction on our new Boiler Plant which is home to 4 new boilers.
2021
A three-part expansion project giving us the capability to go from processing 5.5 million pounds of milk per day to 7.5 million pounds was completed. This expansion included a new drive through, 8-bay milk receiving facility, an expansion in our lactose plant and a brand new cheese plant.
First District Association
Board of Directors
Josh Barka
Chairman
Josh Barka
Chairman
Josh and his wife, Lynn, farm southwest of Litchfield with Josh’s parents. They currently milk 350 cows and raise replacement heifers and steers. They run 900 acres of corn and alfalfa, as well as do some custom chopping for their neighbors.
Josh has served on the Board of Directors for several years and is currently serving as the Chairman of the Board. Besides raising their eight children, Josh and Lynn are also licensed foster parents. They are very active in their children’s education and their church.
Paul Swenson
Vice Chairman
Paul Swenson
Vice Chairman
Paul and his wife, Cindy, own and operate their family dairy along with their daughter, Ashley, and her husband, David. They milk 240 cows in a robotic milking system, which they installed in 2013.
They also farm 800 acres of corn, alfalfa and soybeans. When asked what Paul’s biggest accomplishment is he states, “I believe my biggest accomplishment has been, together with Cindy, raising a family on our farm and moving our operation forward another generation without off farm income.”
Paul is no stranger when it comes to volunteering his time. He has served on the local ADA board for 12 years, the Minnesota State Holstein Association Board of Directors, the local county Holstein Association Board and also has served on the Church Board for well over 20 years. Paul states he is excited to serve on the First District Association Board of Directors with the hopes that he can provide input that can help keep FDA profitable in the future, with a focus on pursuing new markets for our dairy products.
Steve Groetsch
Treasurer
Steve Groetsch
Treasurer
Steve and his wife, Lisa, have been dairying on their farm for 28 years. They currently milk 300 cows and raise all their own replacement heifers. They farm 800 acres of corn and alfalfa for their cattle. In 2017, Steve and Lisa received the Producer of the Year award from Minnesota Milk Producers Association.
Steve is looking forward to serving on the Board of Directors for First District Association to continue to expand his knowledge of the dairy industry. He looks forward to assisting with the decision-making process of the company and also represents First District Association at industry events.
When Steve is not busy farming, his family enjoys giving tours of their dairy and hosting large events on their farm like Breakfast on the Farm and the FDA Young Cooperators picnic. Steve is also a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church where he is involved in the bazaar, the welcome committee and also serves on the capital campaign committee. Steve and Lisa raise three children on their farm near Albany.
Kindra Carlson
Secretary
Kindra Carlson
Secretary
Kindra and her husband, Chad, farm in partnership with Chad’s brother, Carl, and Father, Curtney, near Willmar, MN. Carlson Dairy is a century dairy farm that has been in operation since 1891 and consists of 1,800 cows that are milked in a robotic carousel parlor. The farm raises corn and alfalfa on 1,200 acres to provide feed for their cattle. Kindra has a degree in Ag Business/Finance from the University of Minnesota and is currently managing the day-to-day and long-term financial operations for their dairy. Kindra brings a well-rounded perspective to our Board of Directors as she grew up on a 60 cow registered dairy farm in Southeastern Minnesota and is now currently part of an operation that installed one of the first robotic carousel parlors in the U.S.
Kindra and her husband Chad have three sons who are active in 4-H, showing cows at their local county fair, as well as participating in high school sports. In addition to the farm and working part-time off the farm as a Funding Specialist for a civil engineering firm, Kindra is also very active in her church, 4-H, and community. She has held positions at multiple levels of several dairy/ag related organizations, including the Kandiyohi County ADA and DHIA Associations, the MN Milk Producers Board of Directors and the MN Dairy Growth Alliance Steering Committee.
Joe Becker
Director
Joe Becker
Director
Joe and his wife, Karen, farm with their daughter, Rachael, and her husband, Patrick, near Grove City, MN.
They are currently milking 1,000 cows, raise their own young stock, and grow corn and alfalfa. Joe has also served on the Meeker County Fair Board and Sauk River Watershed Board.
Jeff Beckman
Director
Jeff Beckman
Director
Jeff and his family farm near Dennison, Minnesota. Jeff, his wife, Cheryl, and their five children all take part in the 120 cow dairy. They also raise their own crops on 450 acres of land which is used to produce the feed for the dairy. Before dairy farming, Jeff ran a veterinary medicine business as the general manager where he helped grow the business to become successful and profitable.
Jeff serves on his local County Soil and Water Board as the Chairman. Along with that, he serves on the Cannon River One Watershed One Plan. In the past he has held many offices in church as well as planning and zoning on the township. He has also been Chairman of two local nonprofit boards.
Amanda Hartung
Director
Amanda Hartung
Director
Amanda and her husband, Randy, farm with their four children near Freeport, Minnesota. They have been patrons of First District Association since they started farming back in 1998. The Hartungs milk 80 cows and raise all their own heifers, steers, and crops, along with some custom harvesting.
Amanda loves working as a team with her family and accomplishing tasks that need to get done each day. Amanda and Randy have served on the First District Association Young Cooperators Board for over 20 years helping plan and attending various events. They have also served on their local American Dairy Association Board, Minnesota Milk committees and volunteer with their local church.
James Leroux
Director
James Leroux
Director
James and his wife, Katie, reside in Todd County, MN where they have a diversified farming operation consisting of dairy, crops and beef cattle. James and Katie have five beautiful children, who enjoy helping their mom and dad on their family farm.
Their oldest daughter is studying to be a large animal veterinarian at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. James is excited to serve on the Board of Directors to help shape the future of the cooperative, while keeping the best interest of his peers in mind.
Ashley Nietfeld
Director
Ashley Nietfeld
Director
Ashley grew up in southwestern Minnesota on her family’s dairy farm. After graduating from college with a dairy management degree, she purchased her family’s cows and brought them up to central Minnesota to farm with her husband, Cory, near Melrose, MN. The Nietfelds milks 50 cows and raises all the heifers on the farm.
Ashley says she cannot imagine a different life without being able to raise her three boys on the farm. She is grateful they get to be alongside her and learn the same lessons she did as a kid. Off the farm, Ashley is involved with her local church and volunteers her time at her boy’s elementary school as well.
FDA Management
Meet Our Team
Bob Huffman
President & CEO
Bob Huffman
President & CEO
We welcomed Bob as our President & CEO of First District Association on July 1st, 2019. Bob received a business degree from Evangel University in Springfield, MO. Bob comes to us with over 20 years of progressive dairy industry experience where he most recently served as Vice President of Manufacturing Operations for multiple plants across the United States. Bob has a passion for successfully fostering and sustaining both member patron and customer relationships, building trust and discovering the strategy that works best with the Cooperative to achieve desired member, industry and business goals.
He is a firm believer in leading by example and that it all starts with core ethics and values. Bob states, “The dairy farmers have the strongest values on Earth and hold the most ethical integrity I have witnessed. I believe it is all about doing the right thing, even though the right thing may sometimes be hard…it is still the right thing.” Bob believes that a culture of member engagement, transparency and strong leadership are key and that a team of employees that are passionately aligned with these values and goals are most definitely unstoppable.
As our President & CEO, Bob reports directly to the Board of Directors and is in charge of ensuring the future success that lies ahead for First District Association, its member patrons and the dairy industry.
Bob and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. Bob and Jennifer are busy putting down roots here in Litchfield with their family and look forward to spending time outdoors with their children enjoying all the seasons that Minnesota has to offer.
Glenn Kaping
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Glenn Kaping
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
As First District Association’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Glenn is responsible for the both the finance and accounting activities for First District Association. He is also responsible for the oversight of internal controls and policy adherence. In addition, Glenn and his team work closely with the business, operations and milk marketing departments to ensure ongoing budget attainment.
Glenn and his wife, Alisha, have four active children and reside near their respective family’s farming operations. When the occasional spare moment presents itself, Glenn can be found enjoying the outdoors; hunting, fishing and playing golf.
Glenn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management.
Michelle Williams-Cox
Director of Human Resources
Michelle Williams-Cox
Director of Human Resources
As First District Association’s Director of Human Resources, Michelle is responsible for leading the Human Resource functions that support the organization’s many employees. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Business from Nebraska Wesleyan University and has over 25 years of experience in Human Resources. Michelle’s team not only sets the people strategy for our workforce, but also manages the administration of company-wide payroll, employee policies, employee relations, training and leadership development, benefits, talent acquisition, retention, communications and safety.
Michelle and her husband, Robert, live near the Litchfield area and have two dogs, Baxter and Barley. Their six grown children live across the United States and Australia. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, cycling, gardening and most of all fishing.
“In every company I have worked for, I’ve enjoyed working with the people the most. I have a passion for developing people, helping them achieve their goals and watching them grow. I pride myself on treating everyone with respect and dignity, no matter what the situation or where they are in their career.”
Shane Dill
Vice President of Operations
Shane Dill
Vice President of Operations
The dairy manufacturing world has been no stranger to Shane. Shane attended Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) where he graduated with a business degree. He comes with over 20 years of a dairy production background and is very diverse in all genres of milk processing. This includes powder dry ingredients, cheese, membrane systems, evaporation, butter, and ice cream.
As the Director of Manufacturing, Shane’s direct responsibility is ensuring the future success that lies ahead for First District Association, both for its member patrons and the employees of First District Association. First and foremost, Shane looks forward to providing any support that will help our team as we move forward as being a premier supplier of dairy ingredients. With a continued focus on being a great steward of the community, we wish to ensure that First District Association is an employer of choice so that we continue to add value to our patron farmer families.
His wife, Nikki, and their two kids, Cade, and Eliot, and four dogs made the move to the Litchfield and are excited to be back and enjoy all the Midwest has to offer. Shane is an avid outdoorsman by staying active with outdoor powersports, hunting and fishing. His family loves going on road trips, especially trips to visit family members.
Patti Schaefer
Director of Milk Marketing & Member Services
Patti Schaefer
Director of Milk Marketing & Member Services
Patti has a deep passion for the dairy industry. That passion started on her family’s dairy farm outside of Hutchinson, MN. During her youth she was actively involved in 4-H and showing dairy cattle.
In 2014 Patti Schaefer joined the team here at First District Association. Her current roll as Director of Milk Marketing and Member Services includes managing our milk supply and managing our Member Service Team. The Member Service team is responsible for serving the needs of our patrons. Patti also oversees member communications, as well as our participation in the National Dairy FARM program, which encompasses Animal Care, Antibiotic Stewardship, Environmental Stewardship and Workforce Development programs.
Prior to joining First District Association, Patti worked for four years as a Market Development Manager for Idaho Milk Products and six years as a National Account Manager for PGP International. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from North Dakota State University.
Patti has served on the Board of Directors for both her county and state Holstein Associations. She has also served as a 4-H dairy judging coach. Outside of the dairy industry, Patti enjoys serving as a Sunday School teacher at her church, as well as serving on the PTF Committee at her children’s school. Patti and her husband Eric, are raising their two children on a small hobby farm south of Litchfield.
Blake Tangen
Director of Supply Chain
Blake Tangen
Director of Supply Chain
As First District Association’s Director of Supply Chain, Blake is responsible for procurement and negotiation of all products and goods coming into the plant. Blake and his team are responsible for warehousing and shipping finished goods from the plant across the world. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Dakota State University.
Blake, his wife, Melissa, and their three children live on a farm near Litchfield. Blake enjoys being active and serving the Litchfield community by being an active member of the Litchfield Rescue Squad. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, hunting and spending time at the lake with his family.