LETTER: Dairy Day celebration is Saturday, June 16, 2018
To the Editor:
Let’s raise a glass of milk for June Dairy Month! It is a time to recognize not only the many delicious products that we enjoy but also the hardworking farm families who put the food on our tables. You can learn about and sample many of the products that our farmers produce at Dairy Day in Norwich.
Dairy Day has become an annual tradition and we are proud to announce that our Eighteenth Annual Dairy Day is underway! As in the past, a committee consisting of dairy farmers, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Farm Bureau members, USDA employees, and local Chenango County businesses are planning a fun-filled and exciting Dairy Day.
The 2018 Dairy Day celebration is this Saturday, June 16, 2018, at the Chenango County Fairgrounds. Similar to previous years, it will begin at 10:30AM with a parade in the city of Norwich leading to the Fairgrounds. This year’s parade has a NEW ROUTE! Beginning at the CWS/Achieve parking lot and proceeding down Maydole Street to the Fair grounds! Family activities and educational exhibits celebrating Chenango County’s agricultural heritage and the importance of the dairy industry, its past, present and future will be present.
It is no secret that it is a tough time right now for dairy farmers. We are in our fourth year of depressed milk prices and it is a real struggle for many to stay in business. The cost of production is often more than what comes in the monthly milk check. While it may not seem like a time to celebrate, it is more of a reason to drink another glass of milk or add another scoop of ice cream to your cone. Let’s support New York dairy products and in turn support our local farmers.
There are many choices in the grocery stores these days, but you can rest assured that when you choose dairy you will receive the same nine essential nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D, potassium, protein, vitamin B12 and vitamin A. It comes from more than 4,600 New York family farms whose passion is caring for their cows and farmland to produce the highest quality products.
Dairy farming is engrained in New York’s agricultural heritage. Most families have been in business for multiple generations and are integral to the rural economy that they support.
So let’s raise a glass of milk for June Dairy Month!
Bradd Vickers, president, Chenango County Farm Bureau