06/19/06 Dairy Month Event

Michele Heavyside is a Dairy Farmers of America Young Cooperator and a dairy producer in Clovis, New Mexico. But she`s also a dairy promoter - always thinking of new ways to raise awareness of the dairy industry - unify her fellow dairy farmers - and raise money for local charities. Heavyside has done it again - joining with dairy farm families in her region to put on a special event to celebrate the industry - thank the urban neigbors who have supported growth and sustainability of dairy farmers - and raise funds for the local food bank... HEAVYSIDE: We got a bunch of dairy farmers together in our area to put on a dairy fest which is a celebration of National Dairy Month and also a way of saying thank you to our communities for welcoming us. We're going to have the Bellamy Brothers in concert, we're going to be serving free food; cheeseburgers, yogurt, grilled cheese, milk, ice cream. We'll have booths out there and it's all kind of set up as an educational too for the dairy. According to Heavyside - Dairy Farmers of America - its dairy farmer members - the local McDonald`s - and local residents of Clovis are all coming together - working as one community - to ensure the event is a success. In fact - Heavyside says everything for the event has been donated. HEAVYSIDE: Dairy Farmers of America and Bordens helped donate cheese for the event. Local dairy farmers have donated money and the beef and they're donating their time. It's been heartwarming how everyone has come together because we thought we were going to have some trouble as far as raising money to get this thing pulled off but we've had so many people pitch in and help and donate, it's been wonderful. And because of that support - Dairy Fest attendees can enjoy all the food, the fun and the entertainment for a few quarters...tape HEAVYSIDE: For a dollar you can come in, get a free cheeseburger, drink some milk, have some ice cream, bring the whole family and watch the Bellamy Brothers. Dairy Fest 2006 begins the evening of Saturday, June 24th at five o`clock. The event will take place on the Curry County Fairgrounds in Clovis, New Mexico until nine. Tickets will be available on site. For more information - call 1-877-LUVMILK. National Dairy Month is a time for the Dairy Industry to educate the public on the benefits of dairy products. From calcium to potassium, dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt contain nine essential nutrients which may help to better manage your weight, reduce your risk for high blood pressure, osteoporosis and certain cancers. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.