Dairyland Family Picnic 2026:
Growing The Tradition

On an unseasonably cold day at the end of June, Dairyland employees from across the country gathered for our annual Dairyland Family Picnic, a day spent in community and celebration. This year, the event featured a catered barbecue lunch, lawn games, family activities, and time to deepen connections with coworkers and friends outside of the office. 

I really enjoyed my first company picnic. The event gave me (and my family) a chance to experience the positive and inclusive culture of the company, which made me even more excited to be part of the team. — Mallory Blazer

 

With over 100 people in attendance, this year’s Picnic ended up being the largest in our 43-year history. This increase in size meant that the yard outside of our Stoughton office was simply too small to host everyone—the best kind of problem to have! Instead, we gathered at Nordic Ridge Park in Stoughton, a nearby park where Dairyland could take advantage of the open green space, splash pad, and covered structure.  

The picnic provides a place for everyone, from all areas and ages, to gather, to laugh, to share a meal, and remember the joy of doing life together. — Cheyanne Tachick

The weather may have been cold, but it certainly didn’t bring Dairyland down! The kids lost no time in getting to the splash pad and the bouncy house while adults pulled jackets, hats, and even blankets from their cars to ensure everyone was properly bundled up against the surprisingly frigid June wind. We also learned it’s never too cold for ice cream, as the ice cream truck that stopped by had no shortage of visitors. 

 

Dairyland also took this opportunity to host a donation drive for START, a Stoughton-based organization that provides “case management, financial assistance, and basic needs support to help individuals and families navigate challenges and build stability.” Dairyland employees collected household essentials for folks in need of community support and brought them to the picnic for delivery to START. 

 

We wrapped up the day with crafts and cornhole before sending folks on their way with bags of leftovers and kids ready for naptime. It was the perfect way to celebrate a season of growth, and a reminder that Living Engaged is about more than just intentionality in the workplace—it’s also about slowing down, having fun, and spending time where it matters most. 

Ripple Effects: A Year of Purpose, Service, and Shared Impact

If this year showed us anything, it’s that our community continues to creatively and passionately demonstrate what it looks like to use business as a force for good. Across departments, locations, and roles, our team and our partners consistently chose to show up with generosity, curiosity, and compassion. Together, we created ripple effects of impact that reached far beyond our walls and into neighborhoods, nonprofits, and communities across the country.

Our story is one of movement, of a culture taking deeper root, of people modeling service in a way that inspires others, and of the ways we are becoming more connected through purposeful action.

Bright Spots From a Year of Service

The spirit of Business as a Force for Good (BFG) comes alive in the stories of our collective action. Each partnership and volunteer moment illuminated a different side of what it means to care deeply for our community and for one another.

Partner Spotlights

Our partnership with Camp Daniel supported a community centered on joy, empowerment, and belonging for individuals with disabilities. Connecting with the Camp Daniel team and campers challenged us to see things from different viewpoints, deepening our understanding and empathy.

My niece has been a camper at Camp Daniel for most of her life; it is special to be able to be part of her experience in these behind-the-scenes kinds of ways.  Dairyland could choose to give only money to various groups to be a “force for good” but it chooses to also send its people, on the clock, to do the tangible work the organization needs to accomplish its mission; it helps to connect us to our community in a deeper way. -Jon Kavanagh

 

Our ongoing relationship with Habitat for Humanity brought similar meaning. From hands-on work at the build site to supporting the Habitat ReStore, employees experienced firsthand what it looks like to equip people to flourish. Habitat for Humanity Dane County CEO, Hillary Parker reaffirmed that every hour we contribute helps make that future possible for a family:

 Habitat’s work creates a powerful ripple effect. When people have a safe, stable home, they gain the strength and stability to flourish in other parts of their lives. For example, we know that children of homeowners are 25% more likely to graduate high school and 116% more likely to graduate college. That growth doesn’t stop at the front door; it extends into schools, workplaces, and communities, inspiring the kind of lasting change that transforms generations.

Volunteer Week: Showing Up Together

Volunteer Week remains one of our most energizing traditions. This year, Dairyland employees joined with industry peers, family, and friends to mobilize in service within our communities. In addition to spending time volunteering together, we incorporated a “Spirit Week” to foster some extra fun and camaraderie.

Dairyland Volunteer Week 2025 Recap

I genuinely look forward to volunteer week each year—especially since Dairyland incorporated spirit week into the mix. Spirit week brings out the competitive side of Dairyland employees, and it’s always so much fun getting to see the creative ways that everybody has participated. This week not only serves as a week to give back to the community around us, but fosters even more connection in the office (which is one of the things I love most about working for Dairyland). I already can’t wait for next year’s! -Megan Aasby

Individual Stories That Inspired Us

Some of the most meaningful moments this year came from employees who found personal ways to serve, aligned with their passions and community needs. Whether by mentoring local youth, supporting community safety efforts, delivering meals and connection, or advocating for animals in need—these stories remind us that service isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s deeply personal.

Upward Intuition represents what I believe real community impact looks like. It’s local, relational, and rooted in creating opportunity rather than charity. It’s about investing in people and places with intention, and trusting that when you do that well, the impact carries far beyond what you can measure. -Jarret Brelsford

Celebrating Our Collective Impact

This year, our industry came together to show how small, intentional actions can create meaningful change. By dedicating hundreds of hours to volunteer service during volunteer week and beyond, and supporting both local and national nonprofits through generous financial contributions, we amplified our collective impact. Notably, our collaboration at the Camp-themed AMPP lounge during the Annual Conference + Expo 2025 in Nashville resulted in a $1,100 donation to Camp Daniel, reflecting the power of partnership and shared purpose among all Camp Dairyland participants.

Finding the Feeling

Throughout the year, one theme kept surfacing: when we serve, not only are we a part of meaningful changes for others, but something in us also changes.

Working together reminded us that generosity is energizing and deeply satisfying. It draws us into the lives of others, strengthening connection, empathy, and joy. Listening to our partner organizations reinforced that our efforts truly matter, while personal stories reminded us that we are surrounded by people doing quiet extraordinary things every day.

This is how generosity can change us: one action at a time, multiplied across people who care. What an encouragement to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, in service to others, and for the sake of human safety and flourishing.

Generosity is both an others-focused practice and a self-enriching experience. When we give, we always hope that the person on the other end flourishes. But what we often underestimate until we give is the joy and fulfillment that floods us during and afterward. It isn’t uncommon for me to experience or hear from our team about how much fun they had on a Habitat build or meal distribution. Generosity is a gift that multiplies, bringing abundance in our lives and the lives of others. -Kailey Tachick

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we look towards 2026 and beyond our goal is simple: keep the momentum going.

There is no finish line to this kind of work. Just the next opportunity to step forward, take action, and practice generosity.

Thank You

To everyone who volunteered, donated, shared a story, helped shape this path, or offered encouragement – thank you. Your actions matter. They ripple outward in ways you may never fully see, shaping a culture of compassion, purpose, and impact.

More than a Break: Dairyland Introduces Quarterly “Recess”

In 2024, Dairyland launched Operation Great Place (OGP)—an initiative designed to build on our strong culture and take it a step further. The goal of OGP is not simply to make Dairyland a nice place to work, but a truly great place to work. The initiative invited OGP project team members to think creatively about how to make our workplace more enjoyable, engaging, and connected for everyone. One outcome of this effort was the introduction of a quarterly 30-minute recess at both our Stoughton main office and Pound manufacturing facility.

Recess is structured as an optional 30-minute activity held once each quarter. Ideally, recess gives employees a chance to step away from their desks and connect with colleagues in ways that feel refreshing and meaningful.

 

Why Recess?

Recess offers a deliberate pause in the workday and presents an opportunity to shift focus from numbers, spreadsheets, and project deadlines to laughter, teamwork, and fun. Much like the breaks we enjoyed in elementary school, recess provides time to reset and recharge. Depending on the activity, employees may participate individually or in teams, encouraging collaboration, lighthearted competition, and creativity.

By spending time together in this way, employees can strengthen cross-departmental connections, support their mental and physical well-being, and return to work with renewed energy and focus.

I like having a break from work to be silly with my coworkers and have fun. I enjoyed playing board games and doing a race outside, as well as more creative activities that I wouldn’t have thought of trying on my own. A dedicated time also helps me get closer to my coworkers that I don’t have a lot of day to day contact with.
-Buket Allı, Accounting

To date, recess activities have included playing a rousing few rounds of “That Sound Game.”

      

A competitive obstacle course relay that saw the “finals” play out at our summer picnic.

            

And, a tie-dye workshop.

         

 

Other Engaging Activities at Dairyland

Recess is one component of a broader strategy called the “Fun & Togetherness” plan, intended to build on connection and engagement at Dairyland. Other pieces of this plan include:

• Half-day paid outings with your department
• Trivia happy hours
• Monthly raffles for prizes during team meetings
• Spirit Week dress-up days during Volunteer Week
• Company-wide incentives tied to volunteer hour milestones

Together, these programs reflect our ongoing commitment to cultivating a workplace where employees feel valued, connected, and motivated. While Recess lasts only 30 minutes, its positive effects extend beyond the activity itself—strengthening individuals and relationships, and reinforcing Dairyland as a great place to work.

I love that Recess is a great reminder that stepping away from our daily routine can help us return more energized and engaged. We always do something creative and fun, which allows us to connect with different departments and colleagues beyond the usual workday. It’s a tradition I really look forward to each quarter!
– Sara Stern, Inside Sales 

 

Ensuring Lasting Impact

The introduction of recess has so far yielded positive outcomes for both employees and the organization. As important as it may seem to get out and be active with team mates, however, it is equally as important to us to ensure recess and other initiatives remain relevant and meaningful for our team. We will continue to measure the effectiveness of new activities through short follow-up surveys and our annual engagement survey.

Our employee engagement is at an all-time high, 4.45 out of 5 this year, and that’s no accident. Recess is a clear example of how we live our people-first culture, creating space for fun, connection, and joy that carry into the way we work together and succeed as a company. Employees consistently point to our relational culture and investment in people as top drivers of engagement, and recess is one way we bring that to life.
– Amy Wedell, Programs and Systems

Dairyland Family Picnic 2025:
A Practice in “Fun and Togetherness”

A hot day and blue skies greeted Dairyland staff and their families at this year’s annual Dairyland family picnic. Held at our manufacturing facility in Pound (a small town in Northeast Wisconsin), the day was spent enjoying our colleagues, family, and what’s left of the summer.

At Dairyland, “Fun and Togetherness” is how we describe our efforts to build relationships, foster community, and create a workplace people can enjoy and feel welcome in. The picnic is a perfect example of this in action — a day away from screens and schedules to spend time together outdoors, share a meal, play games, and even enjoy a little friendly competition.

 

 

“I personally love picnic day and look forward to it each year! I really value relationships, and it’s great getting to work for a company like Dairyland that makes gathering together to build those relationships outside of the office a priority. Even in the 90-degree heat like this year, it’s still the best time!”
— Megan Aasby, Inside Sales

 

 

 

 

This year’s festivities took place on the lawn, complete with a large white tent to shield picnic-goers from the hot August sun. There were plenty of cold refreshments on hand, and at noon we enjoyed a classic picnic feast: burgers, hot dogs, and all the fixings.

“Our Company picnic is more than just a great time, It is a reflection of the Culture we work so hard to create and protect.  Providing space to be intentional about relationship building, fun and togetherness and care for ourselves but also the community around us.  This year, we all brought donations in and were able to donate non-perishables to a local Pantry right here in Pound.”
— Joe Mutchler, Manufacturing

The office and shop both had teams represent them in an obstacle-course relay race designed by our EVP of Operations, Robert, to see who would reign supreme. The office team was declared the winner, however the victory remains under review due to alleged rule-breaking. Stay tuned.

     

A dedicated group of Dairyland team members and summer helpers organized activities for all ages, including a tote bag decorating station stocked with leftover items designed and produced for the AMPP Annual Conference 2025 (read more here). Bounce house, bubble blowers, and the ice cream truck were the icing on the cake for a fun-filled afternoon, even with the 92°F heat.

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Another successful Dairyland picnic is in the books, and another great opportunity to put “Fun and Togetherness” in action.

Business for Good at AMPP Annual Conference + Expo 2025

Camp Dairyland: Honoring Camp Daniel

Visitors entered the Dairyland lounge at AMPP Annual Conference + Expo 2025 by walking under a hanging wood plank arch that read “CAMP DAIRYLAND.” Designed to bring greater awareness to Dairyland’s concept of “using business as a force for good,” Camp Dairyland plays on the fun and nostalgia of summer camp, and highlights an organization very near and dear to our heart.

Dairyland team members volunteering at Camp Daniel during Volunteer Week, October 2024

One of our favorite local partners, and the inspiration for the lounge theme this year, Camp Daniel, is a non-profit organization located near our manufacturing facility in northern Wisconsin. They provide a safe summer camp experience for people with disabilities, adapting to meet the unique physical, social, and emotional needs of each camper. The campus has largely been constructed through volunteer time and labor, to which Dairyland has contributed significantly over the last five years through various volunteer days. Each year at AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, Dairyland designates an organization to receive a donation as a direct result of attendee participation—for each visitor to the lounge this year, Dairyland pledged to donate $3 to Camp Daniel.

The Camp Dairyland Experience

The fun didn’t stop after guests entered Camp Dairyland and had their badge scanned to count toward the Dairyland donation to Camp Daniel. Guests were given a tote bag, their first patch, and instructions on how to obtain the three remaining patches. Through a mini scavenger hunt, patches could be obtained by completing a “task” such as getting a photo taken in the Dairyland canoe or visiting our booth across the expo hall aisle.

 

Camp Dairyland visitors could take a printed copy of their photo with them

 

Once the first three patches were obtained, guests were given a final “Nashville” Patch and could pick any letters or numbers available on the picnic tables to add to their tote bag design. We saw many clever designs, especially as the supply of letters and numbers began to dwindle over the course of the event.

 

The Final Results

After close to 350 badge scans, a total of $1,100 was donated to Camp Daniel on behalf of all of the Camp Dairyland participants at AMPP Annual Conference + Expo 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.

A very big thank you to AMPP and Freeman for helping bring Camp Dairyland to life. And thank you to all the event attendees who took time out of their day to stop by the lounge, hear about our vision to make a safer world, and participate in Camp Dairyland. It was one to remember, but we can’t wait to do it again next year.

About Dairyland and Business for Good

Dairyland Electrical Industries engineers and manufactures rugged and reliable decoupling products that are critical to cathodic protection systems. Dairyland decouplers keep workers and valuable assets safe from AC faults, lightning, and induced AC voltage, all while optimizing CP systems.

Beyond our products, we use business as a force for good to support our vision to make a safer world. We do this by volunteering locally in our communities and working with non-profit organizations that provide safety and stability for people around the world. We believe that by working together, we can expand our reach and create more opportunities to enhance the quality of life for others.

Thirty years ago, on April 7, 1995, Sherry Kostreva and Sherry Kostreva started working at Dairyland Electrical Industries (yes, you read that correctly). Sherry Ann and Sherry Lynne, as they are better known, are sisters-in-law who began their careers with Dairyland on the same exact day. Their husbands had worked for Dairyland first, but they needed to be on their family farms once spring rolled around. So, Sherry Ann and Sherry Lynne stepped in to help Dairyland.

When the Sherrys started, Dairyland was a much smaller operation—and nearly everything was done in the Tachick family barn. At the time, only VTNIs and ISPs were manufactured, everything was written down by hand, and purchase orders were received through the United States Postal Service. Much has changed since then, but some things remain the same.

Sherry Ann & Sherry Lynne, inadvertently matching

To celebrate their thirtieth anniversaries, I had the honor and privilege of sitting down with the Sherrys to discuss their time at Dairyland and what it has meant to them. I sincerely enjoyed their wisdom and wit. Now, what follows is a story about family, hard work, good times, lots of laughs, and everything in between.*

*Light editing was done throughout for the sake of readability.

Looking back over your time at Dairyland, what are you most proud of accomplishing?

Sherry Ann: I remember building the first SSD’s, the first PCR’s, even the first OVP’s. It was cool to be part of determining which serial numbers to start with for each. It also meant a lot to me to be able to work with Henry, Mike, and Brian Pelly. Working with them was so humbling. They are incredibly knowledgeable. They are brilliant, even! I used to have to ask them, “can you please say that again in English?” But they were all so humble and down to earth. Lastly, I am thankful for the opportunity to have gone to Guatemala with Dairyland to see the work of IJM (editor’s note: you can read more about this trip here).

Sherry Lynne: I feel most proud of helping to pave the way for where we are today. That’s a great accomplishment for me. But it was always so important to both of us to make sure we did the best we could. I wanted everything that I made to be perfect as it went out the door. I always took great pride in the work that we did—to keep the Dairyland name a good name.

Henry, Brian, Sherry Ann, and Mike

What is the best piece of advice you ever received while working at Dairyland?

Sherry Lynne: Oh yeah! Henry always told me, “don’t stress or worry about things that you can’t control. There will always be disappointments in life. It’s how you navigate through them that matters.”

Sherry Ann: And we would ask him, “how do you handle those things?” Because there were some pretty high pressure situations that would come up over the years and he would handle it so well and we were always like, “how do you do that?” Henry would say, “Is there something you can do about it? Do it. If not, don’t lose sleep over it.”

Sherry Lynne: And “don’t stress over it.”

Sherry Ann: Yeah, don’t stress over things you can’t fix or control. That all really stuck with me. But another thing that has stuck with me is the emphasis on family. Family always came first and that was important to me. I always appreciated that.

 

What’s the funniest or most memorable story you can share from your time here?

What was it like manufacturing in the barn for so many years?

Sherry Ann: Sometimes our kids would be hanging out around the barn. Mark, our brother-in-law, used to tease the kids. He would tell them that a man in a green jacket lived up in the haymow. You should ask Kailey and Logan if they were ever afraid to go up there because of it . . . Oh, going back to the last question, this is definitely memorable, but not funny… one time, Henry’s truck started on fire. He went to go get the mail one day and on his way back up the driveway, he noticed smoke coming out of the front of the truck. So, he parked the truck and got out before it went up in flames. That was very memorable.

Sherry Ann, continued: Another memorable event at the barn was our first large OVP order. The customer ordered something like 360 units. When they were all boxed up, we did a victory lap around the entire barn like we were in Rocky.

The Sherrys and the large OVP order

Editor’s Note: Much was said in response to this question, but in a way that is difficult to capture in this medium. The following is a summary of what was said. The Sherrys loved their time manufacturing in the barn. In the early days, it was very small and simple. As time went on, things needed to be reconfigured and expanded, including moving the horse and knocking down walls and the silo. Pauline, Henry’s wife, would often bake cinnamon rolls and blueberry muffins for everyone. They also have many fond memories of sharing a Coke and Peanut M&M’s with Henry.

The Sherrys with the classic snacks

What was it like when Dairyland became a “company” more formally?

Sherry Ann: Scary and exciting at the same time.

Sherry Lynne: Yes! For sure. It was hard. It was almost like a grieving process. For example, leaving the barn, you know, there was something to that. It was very difficult. As I get older, I think about that word… “change.” It can be difficult to navigate, especially when you’ve done something a certain way for so long. But like Sherry said, it was very exciting to see how Dairyland was growing. I’ve always had so much faith in Mike and Henry. I trusted their vision even during those hard moments.

The Tachick Family Barn

Editor’s Full Question for Context: As you know, I worked in Customer Service for many years prior to moving over to marketing. I’ve talked with customers from Australia, Japan, India, Brazil, Chile, and the list goes on and on. Something you built, whether it’s an SSD or PCRX, is literally in the hands of people all around the world, protecting people and infrastructure.

So, in some way, your mark is all over the world. Does that fill you with a sense of pride?

Sherry Ann: Being able to be part of such an amazing company that invests in safety beyond just the product I build means a lot to me. And just knowing that it’s seen as such a high quality product around the world is very humbling.

Sherry Lynne: Absolutely! Everything you build is and was done in a manner that shows why Dairyland leads in this industry. We were taught from the best how to take pride in everything we do, right down to the tape on the box. It all matters.

 

What has working at Dairyland meant to you?

Sherry Lynne: It’s an extension of my family, really. Seriously, the friendships made and the time spent together as a team have made me a better person. It’s given me a sense of purpose beyond just my responsibilities at home. It’s been extremely valuable in my life.

Sherry Ann: Wow. Yeah, same. Well put. It has been a huge blessing to me and my family. I always pray that I can be a blessing to Dairyland and everybody that I work with and for.

The Dairyland crew back in the day

What do you want future decoupler-makers to know? (What’s one piece of advice you’d share with someone starting their career?)

Sherry Lynne: I want them to know that you can truly make a difference in this world through hard work, dedication, and a mindset of thankfulness and service to others.

Sherry Ann: Whether it is a day or many years, we never stop learning. So, embrace the learning process. Be open to new experiences. Enjoy your coworkers—each of them has their own unique strengths and character that they bring to the team.

The Dairyland “Shop” team today

At Dairyland, our vision is to make a safer world. We strive to achieve this through our rugged and reliable products and the protection they provide, world-class technical support, exceptional customer experience, and our Live Engaged* initiative. 

Our commitment to safety, however, goes beyond products and services. As safety is a core priority at Dairyland and deeply embedded in our brand’s DNA, it was a natural step to offer CPR training and certification to all Dairyland employees at both our Stoughton headquarters and Pound manufacturing locations. 

 

Recently, a group of employees participated in an American Red Cross certification program for Adult First Aid, CPR, and AED training. To become fully certified, participants were required to complete a three-hour online course before joining an in-person session led by an instructor. For our office staff, the in-person portion took place on a Thursday morning in our training room, led by a certified instructor from the American Red Cross. During this session, employees learned about bloodborne pathogens, the life-saving mechanics of CPR, how to care for a choking adult or child, and practiced these techniques extensively through role-playing and walking through various scenarios to simulate real-life emergency events.  

 

 

By completing this training, employees not only earned their CPR certification but also gained the skills and confidence needed to respond effectively in emergencies—whether in the workplace or out in the community. The ability to act swiftly and knowledgeably in a life-threatening situation is invaluable, and it could mean the difference between life and death. 

 

 

 

These skills extend far beyond the office. In alignment with two of the four main pillars of Live Engaged (show up for your circle and strengthen your community), possessing these life-saving skills can allow us to better support our immediate circles of family and friends, as well as the members of our communities by being equipped to act confidently in an emergency. Our circles and communities are now safer places because there are more individuals capable of providing life-saving assistance in public spaces. 

 

 

 

 

 

Being prepared to respond during a critical emergency is one of the most meaningful ways to show up for others. Whether it is for a colleague, a loved one, or a neighbor, Dairyland employees are now equipped to make a real difference. 

If you are interested in learning more about CPR training for the workplace, visit https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/train-my-employees. 

 

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* Live Engaged is an action-oriented expression of our company culture and core values focused on living intentionally to improve ourselves as individuals while positively impacting the world around us.  

 

When new and old industry friends gather, it’s sure to be a good time. Add in arcade games, prizes, and an element of generosity and you have a winning combination.  

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This year attendees at the AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in New Orleans immersed themselves in Dairyland’s lounge filled with throwback arcade games and tickets.

Red tickets were claimed through claw machine victories and were used to redeem prizes at the prize counter.  

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Blue tickets were used to donate to the nonprofit organizations we partnered with. Attendees chose whether to allocate them to one, two, or all three of the organizations; and Dairyland then made donations on their behalf. 

    

Together, we sent over $2,700 to our three nonprofit partners:  

Thrive New Orleans: $853 

Thrive New Orleans is a non-profit dedicated to empowering marginalized neighbors and leaders to move from surviving to thriving. They accomplish this through workforce development, building up small businesses, and engaging vulnerable youth and families.  

Feeding America: $1,134 

Feeding America envisions a country without hunger. They partner with foodbanks, pantries, and local food programs to bring food to people facing hunger while advocating for policies that create long-term solutions to hunger.  

Samaritan’s Purse: $761 

Samaritan’s Purse International Relief provides aid to hurting people across the world. They help meet the needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine. These donations specifically go toward tangible support amid disasters like war, conflict, and natural phenomena.  

 

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The arcade and pop-a-shot games used in the lounge were also donated to Thrive New Orleans after the event.

“We are so grateful to Dairyland for providing Thrive with these incredible gifts,” said Oscar Brown, Director of Thrive 9th Ward Community Center. “At Thrive, we aim to invest in families and the arcade games provided to us not only gives our young children a chance to have a fun and safe space to enjoy themselves during leisure activities, but it also propels our mission to invest in families and be a constant support pillar in the lives of the young children in the neighborhood.” 

   

Thank you to each person who stopped by, designated their donation, and claimed their prizes.  

We look forward to seeing you all next year in Nashville!  

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At the conference, we had several people ask how they could personally contribute to the represented organizations. While Dairyland is thrilled to make the donations on behalf of lounge visitors, and does not expect additional contributions, if you feel compelled to personally donate to their work, you can make a direct donation to the organizations using these links:
Thrive New Orleans
Feeding America
Samaritan’s Purse International Relief.  

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Join us for Live Engaged Volunteer Day 2024, a time when the industry comes together to meet a need they care about in their local communities. Learn more and register here.  

 

At Dairyland, we want recognition to be a strong thread of our culture. One of the ways we recognize our people, their contributions, and the experiences we share together is through patches.  

The power isn’t in the embroidery, but in what the patch represents. Given with intentionality, it becomes a tangible marker of a moment that is noticed and celebrated. 

When someone joins the Dairyland team, they get a backpack and welcome patch. Over time, those bags fill up with bright symbols of kudos for delighting a customer, innovating a new value-add process, and so much more. Some of our team favorites include: 

 

The Spot Patch

This patch is given by managers – or nominated by peers – to celebrate above-and-beyond efforts, contributions, creative ideas, and values-aligned solutions from a team member.  

 

The Barn   

This patch is earned for using all available volunteer hours for the year. Dairyland employees get paid time off to volunteer at a nonprofit that they care about and that strengthens their local community in a meaningful way.  

 

Fun Fact: The original Tachick barn burned down one night in the 1940s. Soon thereafter dozens of people from the community set aside their own work to help rebuild it in record time. Decades later this barn became Dairyland’s first manufacturing facility. The “barn raising” reminds us of the power of community to show up for each other in hard times.  

We’d love to recognize our industry friends with patches of their own. By joining our Live Engaged Community, you can opt-in to our events like the annual Wellness Challenge and Live Engaged Volunteer Day and earn patches for your participation. It’s possible you may even find a special Community patch delivered to your door just for signing up! More details can be found here. 

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

 

The day started with the rhythmic beeping of a supply truck slowly backing down the driveway. Soon a crew began unloading large bags of rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, and tubs of supplies. After the 12 stations were assembled, the noise and activity levels quickly increased as masks, gloves, and hairnets were handed out, and individuals stepped into to their assigned roles. With the strike of a gong (yes, a real one), the Dairyland team and their families got to work assembling meals while lively music and healthy competition filled the space.  

The Dairyland Picnic

Every July the Dairyland team and their families gather for a summer afternoon of food and fun. This year was even more special because we had the opportunity to partner with Rise Against Hunger, volunteering our time to pack meals for others affected by food insecurity. We divided into groups – measuring and combining ingredients into individual meal packets before weighing, sealing, and boxing them for distribution around the world. In just under two hours, 52 people packaged 18,576 meals.  

Rise Against Hunger is an organization that is “growing a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives and responding to emergencies.” Across the globe there are 821-million people who don’t have enough food to eat (Rise Against Hunger), with 41-million experiencing “life-threatening hunger” (World Food Program). The need for nutrient-dense nourishment is critical. Over the past year, issues like conflict, extreme weather and poverty have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, heightening the need for food and relief. Rise Against Hunger not only provides short-term emergency supplies—like the meals our team packaged—but they also work to empower communities toward sustainable self-sufficiency.  

Volunteering together helped meet a critical need in our world and allowed us to think beyond ourselves, but it was also a great experience for our team to do together – exemplifying what it means to Live Engaged. Everyone—kids, teens, and adults—easily found a role to play, whether ladling ingredients into funnels, labeling individual packages, or restocking heavy bags of supplies. We laughed, bantered, and connected as a team while the music reverberated and a sense of meaningful accomplishment settled around the room. 

 

Logan said of the event: 
“This event was so cool to be a part of! All my coworkers and our families were in the same room working for a pretty inspiring movement. I genuinely felt fulfilled and that I was on a mission as I just hauled bags of rice. I couldn’t help but keep going!” 

 

 

Laurie later commented: 
“What made the experience most meaningful for me was that an engineer and a homemaker could work shoulder-to-shoulder together for two hours and accomplish so much for a common good. When I looked around at the end of the event, I found I had tears in my eyes at the beauty of everyone working together. What I thought was a simple food drive turned into one of the most meaningful things I have done in 2021.” 

 

 

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If you want to respond to global hunger and engage your team, we highly recommend hosting a meal packing party with Rise Against Hunger. This would also make a great group activity for Volunteer Day!