June is Dairy Delicious!
Dave Bavlnka
WMMB Vice President, Fluid and Related Product Marketing

June Dairy Month, a tradition in Wisconsin and across the nation, dates back to 1937. Since that time the residents of Wisconsin's cities, towns and villages have been celebrating the beginning of summer with visits to annual farm breakfasts and other local activities that showcase our quality cheese and dairy products and demonstrate the tremendous impact that cows and milk have on our economy.

That tradition continues this year, with more than 75 events and activities scheduled throughout the state. The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) is proud to once again play a role in this annual "Rite of Summer" with a statewide promotion that harks back to the days of soda fountains, sock hops and "good old rock & roll" music.

"June is Dairy Delicious," WMMB's 2005 promotion, teams traditional diner recipes, dairy treats and a Holstein waitress named June. June and her diner staff will travel the state sharing dairy product messages with grocery store shoppers, dairy breakfast visitors, and others.

Residents across Wisconsin will have the opportunity to pay tribute to the early days of the American Diner at WMMB's events. Attendees will receive the "June is Dairy Delicious!" recipe brochure featuring six dairy-inspired diner recipes including stuffed cheeseburgers, banana cream pie, buttermilk pancakes and many more. These recipe brochures give the attendees the opportunity to win prizes such as T-shirts, retro bicycles, mini juke boxes and milk shake maker sets. Recipe brochures can also be ordered online or downloaded at www.wisdairy.com.

If a "June is Dairy Delicious!" event doesn't fit into your schedule, we encourage you to celebrate June Dairy Month and Wisconsin's award-winning dairy products on your own. Make a visit to your local diner and pull up a stool, order a cheeseburger and milkshake and take a moment to recall the classic diners that cooked up all-American cuisine. And, as you bite into that cheeseburger or banana cream pie, remember Wisconsin's more than 15,000 dairy farmers and 1,300 cheesemakers that help to make Wisconsin America's Dairyland.

Check out the June Dairy Month event calendar which includes June's appearance throughout the state.

Dave Bavlnka is Vice President, Fluid and Related Product Marketing on the WMMB staff.