June is Dairy Month
June is National Dairy Month! Whether your preference is cheese, milk or ice cream, we rely on local dairy farmers for our tasty treats. Did you know that Pennsylvania is ranked 8th in total milk production nationally? According to the Pennsylvania-based Center for Dairy Excellence, that’s 474,000 cows producing over 10.1 billion pounds of milk annually! Pennsylvania has more dairies than any other state except Wisconsin. It’s also a family affair. According to the Dairy Alliance, about 98% of dairy farms are family-owned and operated.
Despite all these numbers, dairy farming is on the decline. According to the USDA, milk consumption has decreased 40% since 1975. Many attribute this to the surge in plant-based milk options, such as almond, oat and soy milk.
There have also been growing concerns over hormones used in the growth process. These concerns can be put to rest, since dairy farmers are assuredly held to rigorous standards. They follow strict rules from the FDA, ensuring their milk is of the safest and highest quality.
How can you celebrate Dairy Month and support your local farmers? Here are a few ideas!
- Ice cream sundae night: Create an ice cream sundae bar for the family with a selection of your favorite toppings and of course, your favorite local ice cream.
- Milkshake bar: Gather your favorite ice cream and mix-ins, plus a jug of your favorite local milk and get to blending!
- Make your own ice cream: You can use a machine or use the can/bag method. There are plenty of recipes you can find by doing a quick Google search.
- Patronize local ice cream shops and restaurants: Many of your local ice cream parlors/restaurants use milk from area farmers.
We hope you take this month and enjoy some extra milk, cheese or ice cream! Pennian Bank proudly supports our local agricultural industry, including our numerous dairy farms.