Patronage is the Cooperative’s way of sharing DFA’s earnings with its members. While at its core, DFA is a milk marketing cooperative, the earnings from its investments in plants and brands generate returns that allow members to share in the success of these value-added businesses.

“As a farmer-owned Cooperative, we continually seek opportunities to deliver value to our members,” said Randy Mooney, DFA Board chairman. “Annual patronage allocations are one way we demonstrate the value of members’ investment in the Cooperative that goes beyond milk marketing and other programs and services designed to help them operate efficiently and profitably.”

The amount of patronage a member receives each year is based on the amount of milk they marketed through the Cooperative.

In keeping with DFA’s base capital plan, all members will receive at least 20 percent of their earnings in cash, with the balance added to their capital accounts. Those who have achieved the established base capital level will receive 100 percent of their earnings in cash. Of the $29.6 million, $8.4 million was distributed in cash and the balance was allocated to members’ equity accounts.