Dairy Farmers

What Dairy Farmers does

Dairy Farmers of Washington is a private, farmer-funded dairy marketing commission founded in 1939 and headquartered at the Washington Dairy Center in Lynnwood, Washington. The organization represents 300+ member dairy farms spanning Washington State from Colville to Castle Rock, delivering consumer marketing, public and industry relations, nutrition education, and community programs on their behalf. It does not produce or sell dairy products directly; instead, it functions as a checkoff-style promotional body that aggregates demand and brand-building activity for the state's dairy sector.

The organization's product portfolio is programmatic and educational rather than transactional. Core initiatives include the Washington Ice Cream Trail (a curated network of 15+ local ice cream, gelato, and frozen yogurt shops), the Whatcom This Whey annual dairy farm and creamery tours, the Start Strong school nutrition grant program, a ThingLink-based interactive Virtual Farm Tour aimed at middle school classrooms, the Washington Dairy Brands Directory covering 40+ local brands, and a content library of 110+ recipes and 40+ nutrition resources. Distribution occurs entirely through member farm brands at retail grocery, farm-direct creameries, farmers markets, and online channels; the organization does not own or operate retail.

Dairy Farmers of Washington is funded primarily through mandatory assessment fees (dues) paid by member dairy farmers, supplemented by industry partnerships, sponsorships, and grant-related co-funding from national dairy organizations. Its go-to-market motion is community-led, targeting Washington State consumers, K-12 schools, and food service operators via digital content, social media, community events, and school-based programs. The organization is governed by a board of farmer-directors and operated by a small staff of 11-50, collaborating closely with national bodies including the National Dairy Council, Dairy Management Inc., and the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

Name

Dairy Farmers

Legal name

Dairy Farmers of Washington

Website

https://wadairy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dairy Farmers of Washington is a private dairy marketing commission founded in 1939 that represents 300+ member dairy farms across Washington State, funded by mandatory farmer assessments to deliver consumer marketing, nutrition education, school programs, and community engagement initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dairy industry marketing and promotion services

NAICS

Dairy Cattle and Milk Production (112120)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Milk Production (Raw Milk) (AFAEACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Milking Parlor & Dairy Farm Support Services (Non-veterinary) (AFAEALAK), Pasture-Based & Grazing Dairy Systems (AFAEACAI), Farmers’ Markets & Farm Stands (Fresh Food) (CRAHAHAE)

Keywords

• Dairy promotion services
• Dairy farmer marketing
• Agricultural commission
• Dairy nutrition education
• Community dairy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lynnwood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Dairy Farmer Assessment Fees: As a dairy marketing commission, the organization is funded through mandatory assessments (dues) paid by dairy farmers. These funds support marketing, promotion, research, and education programs for Washington dairy products.
2. Industry Partnerships and Sponsorships: The organization facilitates industry sponsorships and grants, including the Dairy Industry Sponsorship program and Washington Dairy Scholarships, funded through dairy commission resources.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dairy Farmers of Washington is the dairy marketing and promotion commission for Washington State dairy farmers, delivering consumer marketing, public and industry relations, and community programs on behalf of 300+ member farms. The organization funds its activities through mandatory assessments paid by dairy farmers and runs educational and promotional programs including the Washington Ice Cream Trail, Start Strong school nutrition grants, Whatcom This Whey dairy tours, a Virtual Farm Tour, and a Washington Dairy Brands directory.

Product overview

Dairy Farmers of Washington operates as a marketing and promotion organization for Washington State dairy farmers, offering a portfolio of programs including the Washington Ice Cream Trail initiative, nutrition education resources (Start Strong school grants, MyPlate Calculator), community engagement events (Whatcom This Whey dairy farm tours), and educational materials. The organization maintains a comprehensive directory of local Washington dairy brands across milk, cheese, ice cream, butter, yogurt, and kefir categories, and provides an extensive recipe library featuring these local products. The core offering is promotional and educational rather than a traditional product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Washington Ice Cream Trail A curated trail and marketing program showcasing ice cream, gelato, and frozen yogurt shops across Washington State that use local Washington milk, helping consumers discover local frozen dairy treats.
• Start Strong Program School meal support program offering grants, resources, best practices, and recipes to help K-12 schools increase participation with healthy, local dairy options.
• Whatcom This Whey Dairy Tours Annual community event offering free dairy farm and creamery tours in Whatcom County, allowing consumers to see how dairy products are made from farm to table.
• Virtual Farm Tour Interactive virtual tour of Washington dairy farms showing the process of getting milk from farm to table, including lesson plans for middle school classrooms.
• Washington Dairy Brands Directory Comprehensive listing of local Washington dairy brands organized by category including milk, cheese, ice cream, butter, yogurt, and kefir producers available in the region.
• Nutrition Education Resources (including MyPlate Calculator and Eat Smart Downloads) Educational materials and programs including the Start Strong school meal grant program, MyPlate Calculator, and downloadable nutrition guides for educators and health professionals promoting dairy in balanced diets.
• Washington Dairy Recipes Database Collection of over 100 recipes featuring Washington dairy products including baked goods, main dishes, snacks, and desserts with detailed instructions and ingredient lists.

Quantifiable outcome

• Dairy industry produces only 1.7% of national GHG emissions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Dairy Council (NDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational research and education organization focused on dairy nutrition research and health communications. Collaborates on nutrition education programs and scientific research initiatives.
• National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade association representing dairy farmer cooperatives. Works on policy advocacy, industry standards, and dairy promotion programs.
• U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit that increases global demand for U.S. dairy products through international marketing, trade policy support, and market access initiatives.
• Innovation Center for U.S. DairycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership focused on innovation, sustainability, and industry advancement. Supports environmental stewardship and sustainability initiatives.
• Dairy Management Inc. (DMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization managing National Dairy Council and USDEC. Coordinates national dairy promotion and research programs.
• Washington State Dairy CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nutrition education council providing resources and programs to Washington communities about dairy nutrition and healthy eating.
• Washington State Dairy WomencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization of dairy farm women promoting dairy through community outreach, education, and leadership development programs.
• Washington State Dairy FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level dairy industry advocacy and policy organization representing dairy farmers' interests in Washington.
• Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency supporting agricultural industry. Collaborates on sustainability programs, farm regulations, and agricultural development initiatives.
• Whatcom Family FarmersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of Whatcom County farms promoting sustainable agriculture. Co-sponsor of annual Whatcom This Whey Dairy Tours event.
• Whatcom Conservation DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal conservation organization supporting sustainable farming practices. Partner for dairy tours and environmental education initiatives.
• DarigoldcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor Washington-based dairy cooperative and brand. Key partner in promoting Washington dairy products and sponsor of community events like Whatcom This Whey Tours.
• Dairy WestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional dairy promotion organization. Co-manages the Start Strong school nutrition program and youth wellness initiatives in Washington.
• Undeniably DairycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational dairy industry marketing campaign. Joint marketing and promotion initiatives to increase dairy consumption and awareness.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dairy West: Regional dairy promotion organization that co-manages the Start Strong school nutrition program with Dairy Farmers of Washington and operates as a peer dairy checkoff covering Idaho and Utah. Closest functional analog given the explicit program partnership.
• Midwest Dairy: Multi-state dairy promotion organization representing dairy farmers across the Midwest with similar checkoff-funded marketing, school nutrition, and farmer-relations programs. Operates the same nonprofit checkoff model on a larger geographic footprint.
• California Milk Advisory Board: State-level dairy marketing board promoting Real California Milk products through consumer campaigns, foodservice partnerships, and school programs. Same checkoff-style funding structure and remit as Dairy Farmers of Washington.
• Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council: Regional dairy promotion and nutrition education council serving Oregon, also a direct fellow checkoff organization covering dairy farm marketing, school nutrition programs, and community outreach on a Pacific Northwest scope.
• Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board: State-level dairy marketing organization for Wisconsin cheese and dairy, operating consumer marketing, school programs, and farm-story content under a checkoff funding model. Comparable state-scoped promotion mandate with a stronger cheese focus.
• New England Dairy: Multi-state dairy promotion organization across the Northeast that runs similar school nutrition, consumer education, and farmer-relations programs under a farmer-funded checkoff structure.
• Idaho Dairy Council: Regional dairy promotion council for Idaho, focused on nutrition education and school programs. Regional peer in the Pacific Northwest with overlapping school-meal programming goals.

Broad incumbents

• Dairy Management Inc. National umbrella checkoff organization managing the National Dairy Council and USDEC and coordinating national promotion, research, and export programs. Functions as the parent-level peer and channel through which the Washington commission plugs into national campaigns.
• American Dairy Association Mideast: Regional dairy promotion organization covering Ohio, West Virginia, and surrounding states with marketing, nutrition education, and school programs under the same checkoff paradigm.

Others

• Tillamook County Creamery Association: Farmer-owned dairy cooperative and major Pacific Northwest dairy brand. Not a promotion commission but an adjacent ecosystem participant — a farmer-owned brand that aligns with the commission's promotional mission and is a natural channel partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dairy Farmers