Raise a Glass of Milk to Celebrate June Dairy Month
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Second Quarter 2015 The Newsletter of Florida Dairy Farmers floridamilk.com Raise a glass of milk to PIE Center survey celebrate June Dairy Month queries Floridians ach year June Dairy Month, an an- on GM foods nual celebration of the dairy industry he Center for Public Issues Education Ethat began more than 75 years ago, (PIE Center) polled Floridians to see pays homage to the rich history and con- T what they thought about genetically tributions of the dairy industry. modified foods. Here are some results from In the Sunshine State, Florida Dairy the PIE Center’s survey. Farmers used a number of strategies to highlight dairy foods and the farmers who produce them. FDF spread the dairy message by promoting June Dairy Month, The Great American Milk Drive and the National Dairy Council’s centennial sary, courtesy of Florida Dairy Farmers. through the media, its own social media Also part of the contest and in support channels and its website. of The Great American Milk Drive, Dean For the June Dairy Month 100-gallon Foods will donate an additional 100 gallons giveaway on FloridaMillk.com, FDF of milk to the contest winner’s local Feeding partnered with Dean Foods to give back America food bank to help get much-needed and deliver gallons of milk in Florida. The milk to families and children in need. To enter-to-win contest lets a lucky contestant learn more about The Great American Milk win 100 gallons of milk to commemorate the Drive or to make a donation today, visit National Dairy Council’s 100-year anniver- www.milklife.com/give. Alliance Dairies honored for sustainability lliance Dairies in Trenton was recently access to fresh milk for families in need. honored for its sustainability efforts at the The farm has a comprehensive water man- Afourth annual U.S. Dairy Sustainability agement plan that led the dairy to install a Awards ceremony in Washington D.C. The first-of-its kind methane digester in the South- program recognizes outstanding dairy farms, east specifically designed for a freestall barn businesses and partnerships for practices large flush system. The digester supplies more than and small that not only focus on the environ- 70 percent of the dairy’s daily electric needs, ment, but promote the health and well-being equivalent to powering 425 homes year-round. of consumers, communities, cows, employees, Not only is the digester providing electricity the planet and business. for the farm and bedding for the cows, it also A 6,000-cow dairy farm, Alliance Dair- generates energy for the community’s use and ies was one of only four farms recognized touts a reduction in odor. nationally in the Outstanding Dairy Farm Alliance Dairies was the first dairy in north- Sustainability Award category. Sustainable ern Florida to receive a permit from the Depart- practices recognized this year range from ment of Environmental Protection (DEP) for its water conservation and recovery of food waste sustainable wastewater management practices. to a community-based program that increases Going forward, Alliance Dairies is looking to take its sustainable advances beyond its own farm with partnerships that will help others in- novate. Recognized as a County Alliance for Re- sponsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) farm by the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Alliance Dairies is going beyond U.S. borders and is currently working with a dairy in Lobatse, Botswana, on the area’s first aerobic digester. From left to right: Ron st. John, Marcia st. John and Jan Henderson of Alliance Dairies Farmer FDF Board of Directors OfficeRs Q&A Matthew Lussier President John Larson First Vice President From left: Meghan, emma (3) and Brad Austin of cindale Farms in Marianna Gerald Fieser Second Vice President Kevin Moore Treasurer Sutton Rucks Secretary, Second Treasurer DiRectors Meghan and Brad Austin: Ron Aprile Rodney Land Randy Burnham Riley O’Steen SMI’s Outstanding Young Dairy Leaders Jeff Busciglio John Peachey Bob Butler Freda Pirkle-Carey eghan and Brad Austin of Cindale and oversee the 467-acre farm in the Panhan- Roger Butler Kara Sanders Farms in Marianna were recently dle. The dairy milks around 300 cows twice Heck Davis Mpresented with Southeast Milk, Inc.’s a day, and their herd is mainly comprised of Outstanding Young Dairy Leader Award. The Jersey and Jersey-Holstein crosses. couple will represent SMI at National Milk Cindale Farms was founded in 1994 by Florida Dairy Farmers Producers Federation’s Young Cooperator Meghan’s parents Dale and Cindy Eade, who 1003 Orienta Ave. Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 events throughout 2015. now manage the family’s ice cream busi- The Austins are second generation farmers ness, Southern Craft Creamery. Located in 407-647-8899 | 1-800-516-4443 Michele Cooper, CEO Vanessa Hodak, Vice President of Dairy Health and Wellness FDF spreads refuel message at Gate River Run Tracey Lager, Vice President ore than 25,000 runners of Finance and Administration and families turned out for Noel Perkins, Vice President the 2015 Gate River Run of Communications M in Jacksonville, one of the largest races in the state. Florida Dairy floridamilk.com Farmers was on hand as the refuel sponsor and distributed chocolate facebook.com/floridamilk milk, donated by Gustafson. Dairy messaging was displayed on the twitter.com/floridamilk jumbotron, while branded banners were visible in the event area. pinterest.com/floridamilk FDF also sponsored the Choco- late Milk Race Team, and passed youtube.com/floridadairy out race bags containing “Build It” towels. instagram.com/floridamilk chocolate milk donated by Gustafson Questions, comments: Contact Brian Chapman at helped runners refuel at the Gate [email protected] River Run in Jacksonville. ‘There are so many life lessons that can be gained by growing up on or having a farm … really the list is endless.’ –Meghan Austin downtown Marianna tute. I’m a member of the Jackson County and setbacks are part of any business, but and started in 2013, Chamber of Commerce board, the SMI Dairy it can be a real stressor on a dairy producer Southern Craft Cream- Checkoff Committee and the Florida Farm who is already taxed for time. ery sells wholesale ice Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Leader- DM: What do you wish the non-agricul- cream and is steadily ship Group from 2013-2014. tural public better understood about dairy growing its client base. DM: What are some challenges you face farming? Dairy Matters recently with running a dairy? MA: The countless hours we invest each spoke with Meghan to MA: We have a love-hate relationship and every day to provide high quality milk ask about her family’s role with equipment. Our opinion may be a little and milk products to our consumers in the in the dairy industry. swayed at the moment, since as we speak, we most sustainable manner possible. Also I Dairy Matters: What are milking on partially operating equip- want them to realize our undying love for life experiences/lessons ment due to a lightning strike. Breakdowns our land, cattle and what we do. have you and your fam- ily learned from working on a dairy farm? Meghan Austin: There are so many life lessons that can be gained by growing up on or having a farm. Life and death, work ethic, stewardship for the land, interpersonal skills, working with people of diverse backgrounds, improvisation … really the list is endless. DM: What are some of the roles you and your husband play in your surrounding com- munity and the agriculture industry? MA: We are very active and try to find time to stay involved in our community and in- dustry in any way we can. Brad is the current Jackson County Cattlemen Association Presi- dent, and he’s served on the Florida Farm Bu- reau Board of Directors. He is a past President of the Florida Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Group and a participant sMi’s 2014 Outstanding Young Dairy Leader tommy Watkins and his wife Anna (left) present in the Natural Resources Leadership Insti- Meghan and Brad Austin with the 2015 Outstanding Young Dairy Leader Award. Future farmer throws out first pitch at UF softball game n April, Florida Dairy Farmers proudly Isponsored the Univer- sity of Florida softball team’s game against Kentucky. Farmers Jared and Kelli Moseley of the White Oak Dairy in Mayo were in atten- dance along with their children. Their daughter Kambry represented FDF by throwing out the first pitch of the game. FDF also provided rally Kambry Moseley throws out the first pitch at a Florida Gators softball game. she is then congratulated by a towels for fans. Gators’ softball player. Gridiron Breakfast Challenge lets students show their stuff in the kitchen fter a successful opening act last year, the Dairy Council of AFlorida again rallied students for its second Gridiron Breakfast Challenge. The competitions, designed to increase breakfast participation in conjunction with the Fuel Up to Play 60, were held in Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa. Student teams from across the state created and submitted dairy-inspired recipes featuring milk, cheese and/or yogurt for a chance to win a prize pack and compete in the finals at an area NFL team facility. The winning teams were Bunnell Elementary for Jacksonville, Eques- trian Trails Elementary for Miami and Lecanto Primary for Tampa. Several dairy farmers were on hand to support the events, serv- ing as special judges. The judging panels included Pam Butler of Butler Oaks Farm in Lorida; Linda Lussier of Lussier Dairy in Haw- thorne; and Freda Carey of H.C. Dairy Farms in Lakeland. Top left: equestrian trails elementary was the winning team for Miami.