By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Most U.S. consumers are fairly concerned about how and where the food they put on their tables is produced.
In recognition of June being Dairy Month, which is traditionally a time to consider the nation’s 13,000 dairy farms and the producers behind the products, the Midwest Dairy Assoc. has published a free brochure (or CD-Rom) that invites consumers to “Take a Closer Look” at dairy farming today.
Included in the brochure are eight delicious recipes featuring dairy products, such as slow-cooker fresh veggie lasagna and cheesy broccoli potato soup, along with photos and stories about the people behind the products. Glimpses into the lives of dairy families and their commitment to producing wholesome, nutritious milk while caring for the communities they call home are also featured.
“Most people readily understand the great nutrition dairy products provide in a healthy diet, but there’s a growing interest for learning more about how and where their food is produced,” said Donna Moenning, vice president of industry relations for Midwest Dairy Assoc.
She also announced a new company initiative called “People Behind the Product,” which helps consumers connect with farmers to gain an understanding of the many facets of dairy farm operations.
“Since it is nearly impossible to get everyone out to a dairy farm, we’d like to bring dairy farmers to the public through our website,” Moenning said.
Consumers are invited to visit the association’s website at www.midwestdairy.com to learn more about the dairy industry and its producers. Moenning said while they may differ in certain ways, they share a passion for their livelihoods, and the website offers profiles of producers as they address topics such as animal care, the environment and the personal pride they feel about their operations.
“It’s been ingrained in me since birth that being able to farm is a privilege as well as a responsibility,” said Fritz Hegeman, a Missouri dairy farmer featured on the site. “(It’s) a responsibility I don’t take lightly.”
Fred Rosenbohm, an Illinois dairy producer who possesses a patient, easygoing manner perfectly suited for working with cows, shares with site visitors his love of all things bovine.
“I love cows. I have liked them ever since I was little. I just like being around them. I don’t know of another job I’d rather do,” he explained.
“After all these years, I still can’t wait to get up in the morning to see what I can do to make my life better and the cows’ lives better,” Woody Bryant of Arkansas added.
To receive the free brochure, contact the association at 866-311-2464 or by e-mail at info@midwestdairy.com and be sure to include your mailing address. More information can be found at www.dairyfarmingtoday.org This farm news was published in the June 2, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. |
