Celebrate Dairy Month in June!
Both the National Dairy Council and Midwest Dairy Association honor the month of June as Dairy month. Each year, the highlights and benefits of dairy foods are the focus of the season, and various councils, groups, and organizations work together to get the message of supporting the nation’s farmers to the public.
The National Dairy Council promotes its 3-a-day program to encourage Americans to reduce risks of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, obesity, and colon cancer through consumption of dairy foods. It is estimated that most Americans are not getting enough calcium from their diets, and are thus not benefiting from optimal calcium absorption and nutrition. The Midwest Dairy Association raises public awareness on behalf of dairy farmers, dairy producers, and the dairy industry in the media. Its focus is on the “Milk-Making Mission”, and it shows us how businesses and producers affect the American dairy market, and consumer.
June Dairy Month first became part of American culture in 1937. It started as National Milk Month, and many chain stores sponsored events to promote drinking milk. The programs were a success, and likely contributed to American’s habit today of drinking milk. The National Dairy Council first began these promotions with businesses in mind, and stores quickly ran offers and highlighted their dairy sales during this time. In 1939, the campaign increased to promoting all dairy products, not just milk. This slowly increased the promotion and sales of butter, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. However, the war era quickly reduced the publicity efforts.
The post-war era looked more promising; it was during this time that butter became the publicity-generator of choice, with a high emphasis on “Sales, not Surplus”. It wasn’t until 1955 that the American Dairy Association became the leader of campaigns for June Dairy Month, and began to involve communities and businesses nationwide.
Wisconsin, the nation’s official Dairy State, has led the way with many communities offering cattle shows, ice cream sponsorships, cow-milking contests, parades, and festivals around the rural areas. With an emphasis on the local farmer, Wisconsin continues to promote June Dairy Month for publicity, networking, awareness, and promotion of the dairy industry. The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board also works extensively with farm operations, current dairy industry news, and sponsors local events to promote Wisconsin-made milk and products.
Take part in June Dairy month by contacting your local dairy council, finding out about local events, and enjoying your favorite ice cream cone! Or, take a trip to Wisconsin and take part in the following festivities and activities! In date order:
Mayor’s Breakfast
Friday, June 2, 2006. 5 to 10 am. Kick off June Dairy Month with Breakfast with the Mayor! Also enjoy wagon rides, live music, and farm tours. UW-Agricultural Research Station, 2000 West 5th St, Marshfield, Wood County. Call 715/384-3454.
Barron County June Dairy Breakfast
Saturday, June 3, 2006. 6 to 11 am. All-you-can-eat pancakes, real maple syrup, all-Wisconsin omelet, cheese, ice cream sundaes, milk and coffee. Door prizes, music, horse-drawn wagon rides, antique/modern tractor displays and a petting zoo. 330 E LaSalle Ave, Barron, Barron County. Call 715/434-8086.
Iowa County Dairy Breakfast
Saturday, June 3, 2006. 6:30 to 11 am. Enjoy a classic breakfast at the Level Acres Dairy Farm in Iowa County. Call 608/987-2280
Jefferson County Dairy Breakfast
Saturday, June 3, 2006. 6 to 11 am. This popular annual festival features an antique tractor display, farm toy display, dairy “Jeopardy,” wagon rides, 300 lb. banana split, and local radio broadcasts Jefferson County. Call 920/674-5782
June Dairy Days
Saturday, June 3, 2006. 9 am to 11 am. Celebrate in downtown Fond du Lac, with these family-friendly events: dairy games, a petting zoo with small animals, a clown show and face painting. Free cheese, milk and ice cream(custard). Fond du Lac County. Call 920/906-6865.
Portage Co Open Farm/June Dairy Brunch
Saturday, June 3, 2006. 8 am to noon. Take part in a huge breakfast of pancakes, eggs and sausage, pure maple syrup, butter, cheese curds, cranberry juice and milk. Hay rides, small animals, door prizes, 4-H sampling, Alice in Dairyland and free root beer floats are some great activites to take part in at the Karl & Barbara Wogsland Farm in Waupaca County. Call 715/457-2231
Tri County Dairy Breakfast
Saturday, June 10, 2006. 6:30 to 11 am. Celebrate June Dairy Month fun with face painting, a petting zoo, prizes, the FFA Alumni Silent Auction, live music by, door prizes, and horse & wagon rides in Washburn County. Call 715/468-7602
Lincoln County June Dairy Breakfast
Sunday, June 11, 2006. 8am to noon. Enjoy a hearty breakfast with buttermilk & potato pancakes, eggs, sausage, cheese, strawberry shortcake, and Wisconsin maple syrup. Take part in live entertainment, dairy product sampling, free horse-drawn wagon rides and 4-H Club displays. Call 877/907-2757
Richland County Dairy Breakfast
Sunday, June 11, 2006. 7am – 1pm. This menu will carry you through the day with pancakes, cottage cheese, cheese curds, sliced cheese, applesauce, syrup, pork sausage, yogurt, ice cream sundaes, AMPI pudding cups, and white and chocolate milk. Entertainment includes a pettinz zoo, antique tractors, and live music in Richland County. Call 608/585-3362.
Town & Country Dairy Breakfast
Sunday, June 11, 2006. 7am – 1pm. This featured breakfast includes: cheese or “the works” omelet, muffins and honey, sausage, milk, orange juice, cranberry juice, cheese curds, sliced cheese and ice cream cones. Don’t forget the giveaways, clowns, and polka music in Taylor County! Call 715/748-2506
Future of Farming and Rural Life in Wisconsin Regional Forums
Friday, June 16, 2006. 9 am to 4 pm. 6 This showcase of presentations from regional forums hopes to create a vision for agriculture and rural life in Wisconsin. Key topics include agricultural policy and government influence; economic, cultural and social issues; food systems; natural resources conservation; and production agriculture. Oconomowoc Lake Club, Oconomowoc, Waukesha County. Call 608-263-1692
Burnett County Dairy Breakfast
Saturday, June 17, 2006. 6am to noon. The breakfast will include Uncle Jack’s Wild Rice Pancakes, ham, ice cream, cheese, milk and coffee. Village of Grantsburg, 416 S Pine St, Grantsburg, Burnett County. Call 715/327-8861
June Dairy Day and Rodeo Parade
Saturday, June 17, 2006. 10:30 am. Attend the Downtown Richland Center Parade in celebration of the Dairy industry and rodeo. Downtown, Richland Center, Richland County. Call 800/422-1318.
Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast
Saturday, June 17, 2006. 6 to 10 am. This is a Kenosha County Tradition, features a large breakfast for the whole family: includes a wonderful country omelet made in 6 ft fry pans, Italian bread, butter, orange juice, milk, strawberries and ice cream! Also take part in taste testing, children’s games, and a farm tour. Tickets are available at the farm entrance: Dennis and Rita Robers Farm, 6901 – 368th Ave, Wheatland, Kenosha County. Call 262-878-5271.
Open House
Saturday, June 17, 2006. Tour this 130-acre organic garden farm and woodland. Shop for herbs and other products at Nature’s Acres Farm, North Freedom, Sauk County. Call 608-522-4492.
Country Breakfast on a Ripon Farm
Sunday, June 18, 2006. 9am to 1pm. Enjoy a classic family breakfast in rural Ripon. Eggs, pancakes, pork sausage, and ice cream are the highlights for this event, and tours of the farm are available. Fond du Lac County. Call 920/748-6764.
June Dairy Days
Wednesday, June 21, 2006. 5 – 10pm. Join over 5000 attendees for the June Dairy Days supper at the Northern Wisconsin Fair Grounds to support WI farmers. Take part in live music, dancing, and other activities at this popular event! Northern Wisconsin Fair Grounds, Chippewa Falls, Chippewa County. Call 715/723-0331.
Breakfast on the Farm
Saturday, June 24, 2006. 6 to 11 am. You can celebrate June Dairy Month with animal and antique tractor exhibits, a craftshow, a Dairy Bar to sample new products, live radio broadcasts, farm tours, and live music at the Keith & Micca Schueller Farm, Belgium, Ozaukee County. Call 920/994-2261.
