The new MSU dairy facility is capturing the attention of dairy farmers across the Midwest, thanks in part to a longtime Michigan dairy leader who is encouraging producers to invest in its future. On July 21, 2026, MSU AgBioResearch shared how Doug Chapin, chairman of the Michigan Milk Producers Association Board of Directors, is championing two producer-led fundraising campaigns to support the Michigan State University Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center in East Lansing.
The story of this partnership stretches back more than a century. In 1916, the Michigan Milk Producers Association, or MMPA, was founded on the fourth floor of what is now the Justin S. Morrill Hall of Agriculture at Michigan State University. Because of those deep roots, the connection between Michigan dairy farmers and MSU remains strong today.
A Cooperative Built on Farmer Values
The MMPA is a dairy farmer-owned cooperative and processor. Its mission focuses on marketing members’ milk, providing on-farm services, and supporting the next generation of dairy industry leaders. While the organization began in Michigan, it now serves members in Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin as well. As a result, its influence continues to grow across the region.
Doug Chapin knows this world firsthand. He operates Chapin Family Farms in Mecosta County, Michigan, alongside his son, Sam. Beyond running the family operation, Chapin served as a leading voice in advocating for State of Michigan funding for the new MSU dairy facility, which opened in July 2025.
Inside the New MSU Dairy Facility
The $75 million MSU dairy facility represents a major leap forward for dairy science education and research. It is home to nearly 700 cattle, which more than triples the size of the previous herd. Because of this expansion, researchers, educators, and students now have far more room to explore new ideas.
The facility also puts the latest technology within reach. For example, it features robotic milking systems, advanced feed centers, calf barns, and modern milking parlors. Additionally, the center connects with the MSU Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center. That integration promotes waste-to-resource solutions, turning byproducts into value-added products.
Consequently, the facility does more than teach. It helps the entire industry imagine what sustainable dairy farming can look like in the years ahead.
Turning State Funding Into Lasting Impact
Getting the project off the ground required cooperation on many levels. With help from Chapin, the MMPA, and other agriculture industry leaders, MSU secured $30 million from the state in 2022. That investment served as the foundation for construction.
Chapin points to Michigan’s unique relationships as a key reason the project succeeded. “We have a very unique situation in Michigan with our relationships with producers, MSU and the Michigan Legislature,” Chapin said. “One of the biggest reasons we were supportive of the investment was that we all saw it was time to update those facilities.”
He recalled the moment when opportunity opened the door. “When the window of opportunity came to get some state funds to get it kicked off, it was important for the industry to step up and say, ‘Let’s go for it.’ And it was great to see that all of Michigan ag stepped up. We all saw the need, and that need was fostered by the fact that we wanted to see MSU remain at the forefront of dairy research.”
Why the MSU Dairy Facility Matters for Farmers
For dairy producers, the MSU dairy facility offers more than shiny new barns. Instead, it represents a shared commitment to research, education, and the next generation of farmers. Because agriculture faces constant pressure to innovate, facilities like this help keep family farms competitive and forward-looking.
The two producer-led fundraising campaigns give farmers a direct way to take part. Therefore, the effort becomes a partnership rather than a handout. Producers who invest today help shape the research that could benefit their own operations tomorrow.
Michigan’s dairy community has shown what happens when neighbors work together toward a common goal. As a result, the new MSU dairy facility stands as a symbol of that cooperation. Farmers and industry watchers alike should keep an eye on the campaigns ahead, because the outcome may well influence dairy science for decades to come.
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To learn more, visit agbioresearch.msu.edu or read the full article on the MSU AgBioResearch website.