AMPI Young Cooperators Summer Tour

Mark your calendar!

June 10-11, 2025

Join the AMPI YCs for the 2025 Summer Tour!
Featuring:

  • Dairy manufacturing education at AMPI’s Paynesville, Minn., plant

  • A tour of the new Associated Wholesale Grocers warehouse where Dinner Bell Creamery products are distributed from

  • Family fun

  • Optional farm tour

  • And much more!

AGENDA:

Tuesday, June 10

  • 12 p.m. – Registration & Lunch – Queen Bee’s, Paynesville, Minn.

  • 1:00 p.m. – Welcome and mixer games

  • 1:15 p.m. – Introduction to the Paynesville plant and learning stations

  • 5:30 p.m. – Amaze’n Farmyard and supper, Eden Valley, Minn.

    • Slides

    • Petting zoo

    • Mini golf

    • Corn pit

    • Maze

  • Return to hotel, St. Cloud, Minn.

Wednesday, June 11

  • 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. - Breakfast buffet

  • 7:15 – 8:00 a.m. - Workshop

    • Feeding for More Cheese: Boosting Your Herd’s Milk for Maximum Yield

  • 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – AWG Warehouse Tour, St. Cloud, Minn. – Group 1

  • 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. - Table Talks and Hotel activities - Group 2

    • Milk Check Math: Fine-Tuning Your Herd’s Diet for More Profit Table Talk

    • Hotel arcade, swimming, games

  • 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. - AWG Warehouse Tour – Group 2

  • 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. - Table Talks and Hotel activities - Group 1

  • 11:30 a.m. – Lunch

  • 1:30 p.m. – Optional farm tour: Louriston Dairy, Murdock, Minn.

  • AMPI YC events are for AMPI farmer-owners or those involved in AMPI member farms who are between the ages of 18-45 and their families.

  • AMPI covers the cost of Tuesday evening lodging (one room per family).

    Interested in extending your stay? Reservations must be made through AMPI to receive the discounted rate.

  • Each family who registers BEFORE May 15 is guarantee to receive 2 free t-shirts. Additional shirts can be ordered for $8 each.

    Available sizes: Adult XS-4XL, Youth XS-XL, Infant 6 mos.-24 mos.

    T-shirt availability and sizes are not guaranteed for registrations after May 15.

  • AMPI will cover the cost of Tuesday evening lodging and meals listed in the program. No additional expenses will be reimbursed.

    Attendees must drive personal vehicles to and from off-site events.

  • AMPI Paynesville Plant:

    This facility processes up to 4 million pounds of milk daily and produces up to 340,000 pounds of barrel cheese. You’ll get a firsthand look at turning raw milk into high-quality cheese and discover the technology behind whey protein concentrate (WPC) production.

    • Kids of all ages are welcome to join in the plant learning stations.

    • Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required.

    Associated Wholesale Grocers

    Associated Wholesale Grocers is a retailer-owned cooperative and one of the largest grocery wholesalers in the country. For over 100 years, AWG has served over 1,100 member companies operating more than 3,400 store locations in 35 states. AWG supplies independent supermarkets with a wide range of products and services, including Dinner Bell Creamery products. 

    • Must be 18 or older to tour. 

    • Closed-toe shoes are required. No hooded clothing is allowed, but warm clothing is recommended.

    Workshop and Table Talk

    Your cows work hard to produce milk — why not make every drop count? Start turning more milk into more cheese — and more dollars in your pocket. During the interactive table talk, sit down for a hands-on discussion about your herd’s rations and production data. Find out how small adjustments could impact your milk components, cheese yield, and ultimately, your milk check. 

    Louriston Dairy:

    Tour a dairy that milks 9,500 cows each day! Louriston Dairy, operated by Riverview LLP, milks cows twice daily in a 106-stall rotary parlor and employs a team of 40 individuals. This optional tour is about 1.5 hours from St. Cloud, Minn.

  • The summer tour is a family-friendly event. Kids are welcome to join the Paynesville plant tour and participate in activities at Amaze’n Farmyard on Tuesday. 

    Activities for kids are available at the hotel with adult supervision and include swimming, an arcade, and an indoor play area with slides. The hotel activities are a great entertainment option during the 18+ only AWG tour!