Overall, June Dairy Month is a reminder of the important role dairy and dairy producers play in our daily nutrition and the agricultural economy, something the Envision Greater Fond du Lac Agricultural Business Council takes seriously.
Dairy Month in June is an annual celebration aimed at promoting and recognizing the dairy industry and its contribution to health and nutrition. It began in 1937 as National Milk Month and was later renamed All Dairy Month.
Historical records suggest that this celebration “holiday” was started by dairy merchants to stabilize demand for dairy products during the summer months when production peaks.
Throughout history, June Dairy Month has aimed to encourage consumption of dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt and butter, as well as highlight the nutritional benefits they provide.
2024 Farm Breakfast:Parking will be replaced with an off-site shuttle service for the Farm Breakfast on June 23. Tickets are still available for purchase.
During Dairy Month in June, Envision’s Agricultural Business Council is busy, to say the least. In fact, they start preparations as early as May with “A Day on the Farm.” This precursor event provides kindergarten and first graders with hands-on farm experience. Hundreds of students participate in this event each year.
June kicks off with June Dairy Days, an event that kicks off the month with a variety of fun activities for the whole family. Held every Saturday at the downtown Fond du Lac Farmers Market, the event features a petting zoo, dairy games and a variety of dairy product tastings (cheese, milk, ice cream, popcorn and grilled cheese).
Perhaps the largest agriculture-related event of the year, Breakfast on the Farm takes place annually on the fourth Sunday in June. For 35 years, the Agricultural Business Council has hosted the event to showcase local farms and a variety of farm-related items related to agriculture. Guests can enjoy a hearty country-style breakfast, music, local cheese tastings, a farm education zone, ice cream, a petting zoo, antique farm equipment, the latest farming techniques, and more.
Celebrating dairy farming isn’t just one month a year. In fact, it’s during the school year that the overall impact is greatest. Each school year, the Agriculture Ambassadors program visits more than 10,000 students. The program was developed out of a need to educate and inform adults and youth about the production and nutritional value of agricultural products grown in our region and state, and the impact agriculture has on our daily lives. Agriculture Ambassadors provide a variety of educational programs in schools free of charge. In 2022, the program received a grant to expand its programming, and later in 2023, it received the Classroom Agriculture Literacy Leadership Award from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.
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Also, just outside of Dairy Month in June, the Fond du Lac County Fair takes place. For 2022, the Agricultural Business Council has partnered with the fair to create an educational area that includes a “Moo-turnity Ward,” an experience where kids (and adults) can take part in farm activities, see baby animals, and, if they’re lucky, see a cow being born.
The Agricultural Business Council closes out the year with their Annual Meeting and Gift Box Fundraiser (full of local dairy products!) In the world of agriculture, there always seems to be a lot to do.
For more information on these items, visit envisiongreaterfdl.com/agri-business-council/
Tracy Qualmann is senior director of marketing and communications at Envision Greater Fond du Lac.
