Mooving Right Along...June is Dairy Month!

Cows have an acute sense of smell. They can smell something up to 6 miles away!

Since I inadvertently missed National Cheese Day and National Frozen Yogurt Day yesterday, I figured it's high time I get my tale going for National Dairy Month, which has been gloriously celebrated in the month of June since 1937. Actually, in both 1937 and 1938 what we now call Dairy Month was referred to as National Milk Month. Why not sip on this Orange Cream Chiller while I fill you in on the history of Dairy Month compliments of the Midwest Dairy Association.

"June Dairy Month, an annual tradition developed to celebrate the dairy industry and its many contributions to our society, originated in 1937. During its first two years, 1937 and 1938, it was called National Milk Month and ran from June 10 to July 10. The 1937 event, sponsored by chain stores, was given the theme "Keep Youthful - Drink Milk." Originally supported by the National Dairy Council (NDC), June Dairy Month was established to help stabilize dairy demand during periods of peak production. To assist in that effort, NDC provided promotional materials to the 6,300 stores participating..."June Dairy Month" became the official title of the promotion in 1939 and focused on greater use of dairy products...In 1955 American Dairy Association (ADA) became the national leader for June Dairy Month campaigns..." (Midwest Dairy Association)

Truly a "city girl," living in the heart of Pennsylvania Dairy Land, I'm not real sure these two "gals" are dairy cows. However, I can tell you, I got "up close and personal" to get this picture!

Before modern milk delivery, when people traveled and wanted milk, they had to take their cows with them! If people ate like cows, they would have to eat about 360 cheeseburgers and drink 400 to 800 glasses of water every day! In 1856, Gail Borden invented the condensed milk process. This process removed some of the water from milk so it would take up less space.What do you call the cow that produces the most milk?

The Dairy Queen!

That's one of those livestock laughs I found in my travels. In reality, The Pennsylvania Dairy Princesses are highly trained spokeswomen for the local dairy industry.

I just happen to have a copy of Royal Recipes "presented by the Pennsylvania County Dairy Princesses from 1987-1988." However, if you would prefer a few updated Royal Recipes, I suggest you visit the Princess' Royal Recipes from the 2011 -2012.

The following "winning" recipe from Royal Recipes for Oven Hot Cheese Sandwiches, is quite popular around here. I can honestly say I had never tried it before moving to Central Pennsylvania and now, if prepared the way my friend Katie makes it, it's one of my favorites. Katie uses freshly baked bread and a local cheese that she buys at the neighborhood Amish store. I've never made it myself but I can tell you, I've had it by Katie's...often:)

The switch is the tip of the cow's tail. It usually has a nice tuft of hair on it for chasing away flies and other pests!

Middle Atlantic Milk Marketing Association booklet (undated)

Enjoy Dairy Month everyone. I'll see you in a few days with that Picnic Game news I promised!

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