The University of Wisconsin–River Falls and Burnett Dairy Cooperative have formed a strategic partnership to process UWRF milk at Burnett’s Grantsburg facility beginning Nov. 1. The agreement covers milk from Mann Valley Farm’s roughly 100–110 cows and is expected to support UWRF’s Falcon Creamery and retail placement of select products. The collaboration will also foster joint R&D projects and give students hands‑on exposure to real‑world processing and retail experiences.
UWRF Partners with Burnett Dairy Co-op to Strengthen Wisconsin Dairy and Hands‑On Student Training
The University of Wisconsin–River Falls and Burnett Dairy Cooperative have formed a strategic partnership to process UWRF milk at Burnett’s Grantsburg facility beginning Nov. 1. The agreement covers milk from Mann Valley Farm’s roughly 100–110 cows and is expected to support UWRF’s Falcon Creamery and retail placement of select products. The collaboration will also foster joint R&D projects and give students hands‑on exposure to real‑world processing and retail experiences.
19:09, 05.11.2025Economy
UWRF and Burnett Dairy Co-op Form Strategic Partnership to Support Local Dairy and Education
RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin–River Falls (UWRF) and Burnett Dairy Cooperative have announced a strategic partnership designed to strengthen the state’s dairy industry while expanding hands‑on learning opportunities for students.
Beginning Nov. 1, milk produced at UWRF’s Mann Valley Farm will be transported to Burnett Dairy Cooperative’s processing facility in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, for processing. The university’s herd numbers roughly 100–110 cows.
Local partnership built on quality and collaboration
“For us, the biggest thing is that it’s a great partnership because we learn from each other,” said Matt Winsand, CEO of Burnett Dairy Cooperative. Winsand noted that UWRF wanted a local, dependable outlet for its milk — a partner the university could work with closely and regularly.
“Burnett’s been in the industry since 1896 and we’ve always focused on quality milk and how we help dairy farmers get the quality that makes good quality cheese,” Winsand said, adding that milk quality and cheesemaking were central to conversations that led to the agreement.
Benefits for campus, students and research
The arrangement is expected to support UWRF’s on‑campus Falcon Creamery, with plans to feature select UWRF‑produced items in Burnett Dairy’s retail stores. The partnership also creates opportunities for joint research projects, pairing Burnett’s Research and Development team with UWRF’s Animal and Food Science Department on applied agricultural and processing studies.
“We’re really looking to develop that partnership with Burnett Dairy in terms of being engaged with the personal and professional development of our students,” said Michael Orth, dean of UWRF’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. He emphasized that the relationship will move classroom learning into real‑world processing and retail settings.
“Something that could be real, real‑time that really happens in this industry that they get to learn from,” Winsand said, describing the two‑way educational value of the collaboration.
The partners say the arrangement will give students practical experience producing products that may be sold in regional retail venues, deepen local industry ties, and support quality‑driven dairy production across the region.
Looking ahead: UWRF and Burnett Dairy Cooperative plan to expand collaboration on research, student internships, product development and retail opportunities as the partnership matures.