A giant ice cream sundae is a delicious way to celebrate June Dairy Month. The folks with Pennsylvania’s dairy promotion organizations did just that this week, serving up 90 gallons of vanilla ice cream.
The annual salute to dairy farmers is sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, who work together to promote milk and dairy products. Dairy is the largest segment of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry, generating more than $4.5 billion in economic activity. Each year, Pennsylvania’s 541,000 dairy cows produce 10.6 billion pounds, or 1.2 billion gallons, of milk.
“Producing fresh, local, nutritious milk for my fellow Pennsylvanians is a great honor,” said Lolly Lesher, a Berks County dairy farmer who spoke on behalf of the state’s dairy farmers. “I get to work with cows, the land and my family every day, which makes dairy farming one of the best jobs around.”
Joining Lesher with opening remarks, Secretary of Agriculture Russell C. Redding read Gov. Rendell’s proclamation declaring June is Dairy Month in the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania Dairy Princess Krystal Wasson and other dairy princesses from across the state helped with the day’s festivities.
Following the opening remarks, volunteers created the giant sundae using 90 gallons of Turkey Hill vanilla ice cream. The mountain of ice cream was covered with 10 gallons of chocolate fudge, 10 gallons of cherries and 30 pounds of chopped pecans. The sundae was topped off with real whipped cream and a giant, 12-inch ball of cherries.
“June’s 30 days are a wonderful opportunity to salute the 7,400 Pennsylvania families who produce 5.6 percent of the nation’s total milk supply,” said Cindy Weimer, director of industry image and relations for Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association. “Dairy farmers take great pride in caring for their animals. The public can be assured that dairy farmers care for their herds by providing a nutritious diet, good medical care and healthy living conditions.”
Source: Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association