Team America's Dairyland Links Nutrition with Cycling
Byline: Ed Jasurda, WMMB District 3 (Price, Taylor, Oneida and Lincoln counties)

Linking proper nutrition with active, healthy lifestyles has always been a goal for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc., (WMMB) and the Wisconsin Dairy Council. That's why, for the sixth straight season, WMMB is again co-sponsoring Team America's Dairyland, a group of ten women athletes from all over the world who come together each spring and summer to race throughout Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest carrying dairy messages on behalf of Wisconsin's dairy farmers.

Team America's Dairyland races represent some of a number of sports-related activities throughout the year where WMMB and the Wisconsin Dairy Council link the importance of dairy nutrition with active, healthy lifestyles for students, athletes and consumers. Other events include the Badger State Games and the winter WIAA tournaments.

Before their busy summer cycle racing season begins, team members are visiting a number of Wisconsin schools this spring to share their dairy nutrition stories with students. These visits are coordinated by Wisconsin Dairy Council Regional Program Managers. The cyclists visit schools wearing their highly visible America's Dairyland bike team apparel and make presentations about proper nutrition and how dairy products play a vital role in their conditioning and training.

One important nutrition message shared by team members highlights the advantages of chocolate milk as the ultimate sport recovery drink. The athletes share their routines of enjoying chocolate milk after each race as a good source of the vitamins and nutrients that their bodies need after such a strenuous workout.

When the team is on the race course, their cycling gear speaks for itself. Hot pink and cow-spotted uniforms and specially-designed bikes make it easy for any fan to recognize that these racers represent "America's Dairyland." The 2008 team roster truly represents the world of women's cyclists, with half of the riders coming from Wisconsin, and other team members coming from England, West Virginia, Colorado, and Australia.
The racing schedule for the 2008 season will take the team to more than 30 races throughout the spring and summer. For a listing of the 2008 America's Dairyland Cycling Team races, team member biographies and team photos and race experiences, visit www.teamamericasdairyland.com.

Ed Jasurda represents District 3 (Price, Taylor, Oneida and Lincoln counties) on the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. Ed and his wife, Lori, along with Jon and Sherry Pesko, own United Pride Dairy in Phillips. He is actively involved with Genex Cooperative, the National and State Holstein Associations and the American Guernsey Association and enjoys golfing