Post by Editor on Jun 10, 2009 13:44:16 GMT -5
JUNE DAIRY MONTH CELEBRATES THE PEOPLE BEHIND MILK, CHEESE AND YOGURT
It’s June Dairy Month and time to recognize Illinois dairy farmers, the people behind nutritious and wholesome foods like milk, cheese and yogurt.
“My family is proud to provide milk to families locally and around the world,” said Melissa Irwin of R-Vision Holsteins, Belvidere, Illinois. “We work hard every day to take care of our animals and surroundings in a way that will leave this family farm in great shape for future generations. Dairy farming is not a job; it’s a way of life for us.”
Approximately 1,100 dairy farms in Illinois make it possible for the world to have the dairy products it needs to obtain important nutrients like calcium, protein, vitamins and minerals.
After milk leaves the farm, it travels by truck to a dairy plant, where its quality is tested. It leaves the plant to go to grocery stores, schools and even convenience stores in the form of cheese, milk, ice cream, butter, yogurt and other dairy products. In most cases, milk reaches stores within two days of leaving the farm and travels only about 100 miles.
Approximately 98 percent of all dairy farms nationwide are family-owned. These dairy farm families also bring jobs and economic activity to communities across Illinois. Farms contribute to the local economy by supporting local businesses and the community tax base. Farmers purchase machinery, vehicles, fuel, clothing, food and more from local companies. Dairies also create jobs for people who grow and ship feed for cows, as well as for veterinarians, insurance agents, accountants, bankers, and others.
“It is important to me and my family to be active members of the community,” said Irwin. “We work to be good neighbors and support local efforts. It’s where we live and grow as a family.”
American farmers, including dairy farmers in Illinois, are providing consumers with more and better quality food than ever before. In fact, one farmer now supplies food for more than 144 people in the United States and abroad compared with just 25.8 people in 1960 and on less land every year, according to the American Farm Bureau.
Specifically, dairy farmers have improved the amount of milk each cow produces, thereby reducing the amount of feed, water and space needed to bring milk to the world’s table. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics, U.S. dairy farmers are producing almost three times more milk with about half the number of cows compared to 1960.
“Dairy farmers, processors and manufacturers have reduced the carbon footprint of their products by more than half, thanks to production efficiencies, nutrition management and other improvements,” said Doug Block of Hunter Haven Farm, Pearl City, Illinois. “As a dairy farmer, I’m doing my part every day, not just in June, to improve my farm, my community and my planet for the next generation.”
June Dairy Month is the perfect time to tour a dairy farm. Take a virtual tour with your computer instead of a car! Visit www.dairyfarmingtoday.org
It’s June Dairy Month and time to recognize Illinois dairy farmers, the people behind nutritious and wholesome foods like milk, cheese and yogurt.
“My family is proud to provide milk to families locally and around the world,” said Melissa Irwin of R-Vision Holsteins, Belvidere, Illinois. “We work hard every day to take care of our animals and surroundings in a way that will leave this family farm in great shape for future generations. Dairy farming is not a job; it’s a way of life for us.”
Approximately 1,100 dairy farms in Illinois make it possible for the world to have the dairy products it needs to obtain important nutrients like calcium, protein, vitamins and minerals.
After milk leaves the farm, it travels by truck to a dairy plant, where its quality is tested. It leaves the plant to go to grocery stores, schools and even convenience stores in the form of cheese, milk, ice cream, butter, yogurt and other dairy products. In most cases, milk reaches stores within two days of leaving the farm and travels only about 100 miles.
Approximately 98 percent of all dairy farms nationwide are family-owned. These dairy farm families also bring jobs and economic activity to communities across Illinois. Farms contribute to the local economy by supporting local businesses and the community tax base. Farmers purchase machinery, vehicles, fuel, clothing, food and more from local companies. Dairies also create jobs for people who grow and ship feed for cows, as well as for veterinarians, insurance agents, accountants, bankers, and others.
“It is important to me and my family to be active members of the community,” said Irwin. “We work to be good neighbors and support local efforts. It’s where we live and grow as a family.”
American farmers, including dairy farmers in Illinois, are providing consumers with more and better quality food than ever before. In fact, one farmer now supplies food for more than 144 people in the United States and abroad compared with just 25.8 people in 1960 and on less land every year, according to the American Farm Bureau.
Specifically, dairy farmers have improved the amount of milk each cow produces, thereby reducing the amount of feed, water and space needed to bring milk to the world’s table. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics, U.S. dairy farmers are producing almost three times more milk with about half the number of cows compared to 1960.
“Dairy farmers, processors and manufacturers have reduced the carbon footprint of their products by more than half, thanks to production efficiencies, nutrition management and other improvements,” said Doug Block of Hunter Haven Farm, Pearl City, Illinois. “As a dairy farmer, I’m doing my part every day, not just in June, to improve my farm, my community and my planet for the next generation.”
June Dairy Month is the perfect time to tour a dairy farm. Take a virtual tour with your computer instead of a car! Visit www.dairyfarmingtoday.org