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YOUR DAIRY PROMOTION AT WORK IN MICHIGAN AND INDIANA
YOUR DAIRY CHECKOFF AT WORK
Crisis Content Corner
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You know the farm like the back of your hand, but do your local first responders? If you are called away for an emergency, would your neighbors know where to look for the farm essentials? Having a clear map of your farm, auxiliary buildings and chemical storage is essential to prepare for the unexpected. For further information, or to set up a planning meeting for your farm, contact your state promotion staff below.
1. Draw a map or use Google Earth to get a birdseye view of your farm.
2. Mark and label the various buildings, fire extinguishers, hazardous chemical containers, electrical shut-offs, medical storage, etc. on the map.
3. Keep several copies of the map posted in important locations, like the office or commodity barn.
4. If you have multiple farm sites for heifers, calves, or dry cows, make sure to complete a map for each location.
Michigan: Jolene Griffin jolene@milkmeansmore.org 224-567-1894
Indiana: Allie Rieth rieth@winnersdrinkmilk.com 317-443-2296
Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast
National and local checkoff organizations have launched a monthly “Your Dairy Checkoff” podcast to showcase how checkoff programs across the country are collaborating to build dairy sales and trust in today’s changing marketplace. Each episode will be hosted by dairy farmers or industry experts. Listeners will hear conversations focused on local, national and global dairy promotion, including consumer research, dairy nutrition, science and issues updates. Farmers will help guide the selection of topics through their feedback. You can subscribe to the Your Dairy Checkoff podcast on platforms, including Stitcher, Spotify and iTunes. For information or to provide feedback about the episodes, please visit dairycheckoffpodcast.com.
Dairy Farmers and Olympians Share the Spotlight
Indiana Dairy Farmer, Jill Houin, partnered up with U.S. Olympian Amy Cozad-Magaña to share milk stories. This partnership with MilkPEP brings milk into the spotlight during the Olympic season with Team Milk, tying star athletes to the dairy foods that prepare them to be champions. Check out the video on Indiana Dairy’s YouTube page and see how the hard work and dedication of dairy farmers and Olympic athletes makes them more similar than you may think!
Winners Drink (Pink) Milk!
Helio Castroneves, four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, selected 2% milk during the driver poll. After taking the traditional drink of white milk, he added strawberry powder to his bottle to match his pink car and colors! His choice created conversations and excitement in school lunchrooms across the nation.
Spring Virtual Farm Tours
Both ADAI and UDIM continued hosting virtual farm tours this spring, they have proven to be a great way to connect with lots of students and consumers at once.
James Weber of Weber Family Dairy took students on a tour of his farm to show them how dairy farmers celebrate Earth Day every day. He talked through some of the ways he strives to keep his farm sustainable and ready for the next generation.
Kris and Carla Wardin of Evergreen Dairy hosted World Champion soccer player Lindsay Tarpley and her two children during a virtual farm tour. They toured the calf barn to learn how the Wardin family take care of their calves and prepare them to join the milking herd. Lindsay shared the important role nutrition played in her success as an Olympic athlete and how important it is for her growing children.
Jill Houin of Homestead Dairy shared Indy 500 history and excitement with students. She was joined by special guests from the 500 Festival Princess Program, influential young women that used their platform to show sustainable farming practices to the public during and after the tour. As they toured the calf barn, the Princesses and classrooms learned about the technology and innovation that keeps cows healthy and produces high quality milk.
Indiana Cheese Trail is LIVE!
The highly anticipated Indiana Cheese Trail kicked off in June for National Dairy Month, designed to give visitors an immersive experience and education. This year-round trail will bring travelers to the Hoosier state to see where the best Indiana cheeses are made while opening the doors to Indiana creameries and stops along the way. MMPA’s Heritage Ridge Creamery is among the 10 dairy farms and creameries featured across Indiana. With a rise in agritourism, travelers are stepping off the beaten track and treading new paths to embrace local culture.
Learn more at IndianaCheeseTrail.com and start your tasty journey down the “cheddar brick road” today!
Chocolate Milk Nature’s Sports Drink Grants
Winter sports continued to feel the challenges of COVID, but coaches and athletes continued their dedication to their sport, team nutrition and giving back to their communities. During this past school year, we awarded over 280 Chocolate Milk Nature’s Sports Drink grants. While sports changed from day to day and week to week, student athletes could depend on a chocolate milk after practice or games. We’re now taking applications for the 2021-2022 school sports, visit www.milkmeansmore.org for more information.
Recognizing Michigan’s School Food Heroes
The eight-week MI Food Heroes Contest wrapped up May 7th in celebration of School Food Hero Day. UDIM received over 130 nominations for school food service workers across the state. Our guest judging panel selected 4 nominations, and awarded each a $500 gift card for personal use and a $2500 equipment grant for their school to support their meal program. Each nominee received a small school food hero recognition package including a certificate of appreciation and dairy-riffic swag to energize them for their school year home stretch. For more information about the MI Food Hero contest winners, visit www.mifoodheroes.com/features.
Health Professional Virtual Dairy Experience
UDIM staff hosted Dietetic students and instructors from Central Michigan University and Grand Valley State University for a dairy-filled workshop, including a live dairy farm tour hosted by Kristi Keilen of K & K Dairy Farm.
The group was particularly interested in Kristi’s role as a Dairy Nutritionist and were impressed with how carefully the cow ration is formulated, leading to cow health and milk quality. Veterinarian Dr. Jerry Kehr talked about his role in maintaining a healthy herd, emphasizing the proactive protocols used to ensure that milk is safe.
Grocery Store Tour Training Expands to University of Michigan Doctors
UDIM continues to deepen healthcare professional relationships with a new project partnering with the UM Culinary Medicine program for Pediatric and Adult Endocrinology Physicians and Residents. These physicians provide guidance for patients in diabetes and obesity clinics where food choices are closely linked to patient outcomes. We taught physicians how to make healthier food choices, the importance of real dairy in the diet for health and disease prevention, and how to effectively share these messages with patients.
Detroit Pistons Update
The Pistons’ “Milk Means More Three-Point Score” concluded at the final home game on May 16th. The Pistons hit 832 buckets from beyond the 3-point line to rack up 8,320 gallons of milk donated to Gleaners. Saddiq Bey broke the Detroit Pistons 3-point rookie record with 106, doing so in a shortened season. To recognize this achievement, we donated an additional truckload of milk to his favorite charity. In addition, Saddiq and the Pistons will each donate $3,500 to Gleaners. Our combined “Saddiq” donations will sponsor a mobile pantry at a Detroit-area school for an entire year.
