Here is a summary of some of the dairy promotion activities and events across the state in the past month. If you need information about events or materials, please contact Sarah-Baker Walker. swalker@sedairy.org
Students Learn about Dairy at Auburn Dairy U
Auburn University dairy science students hosted the Annual Dairy U event on April 23 and SUDIA staff members Sarah-Baker Walker and Mary Martin Nordness were on hand to help with the adult program. While the students enjoyed fun and educational stations including animal handling and making Dip n' Dots, their parents learned how milking went from a bucket to a robot, dairy nutrition facts and dairy trivia. Randolph County dairy farmer Richie Traylor was there to answer questions about dairy farming.

Photo: Randolph County dairy farmer and ADA of Alabama vice-president Richie Traylor and staffer Sarah-Baker Walker participate in Dairy U at Auburn University.
Dairy in the Media
During April, dairy made a splash in newspapers, magazines and on television. Staffer Laura Marbury provided dairy recipes for two newspapers-The Decatur Daily and the Florence Times-and provided tips for kids in the kitchen. Mary Martin Nordness wrote an article about dairy foods and bone health for Potential, a Montgomery-based magazine for parents and students with a circulation of over 50,000. And on April 12, Nordness was interviewed on WBRC Fox 6 Good Day Alabama about preventing the symptoms of seasonal allergies with dairy foods.
Dairy Promoted at Indian Springs Elementary School
On April 28, Indian Springs Elementary School in Sylacauga celebrated "Every Kid Healthy Day." The school was awarded an Action for Healthy Kids grant and staffer Jana Miller was there to join the fun and promote dairy smoothies. Over 500 students sampled delicious smoothie recipes, which were a hit with the students as well as the adults.

Photo: Alabama's Secretary of State John Merrill celebrates dairy with the children of Indian Springs Elementary School in Sylacauga.
Dairy is Highlighted at Saints Junior
Training Camp 
On April 26, staffer Cathi deVeer participated in the New Orleans Saints Junior Training Camp at Dixon Elementary School in Irvington. Saints' mascot Gumbo spent time with the 4th- and 5th-graders as they learned about healthy eating and ways to get three servings of dairy every day. The students were also encouraged to get 60 minutes of physical activity every day and participated in 60 minutes of drills before the cheese snack break.

Photo: Students from Dixon Elementary School, Gumbo and staffer Cathi deVeer (right) participate in the Saints Junior Training Camp in Irvington.
Health Benefits of Dairy Presented to Alabama Pediatricians
SUDIA was a sponsor of the Alabama American Academy of Pediatrics (ALAAP) spring meeting May 4-7 in Destin and hosted speaker Dr. Robert Murray. Murray, a professor at Ohio State, spoke about the connection between the nutrients in milk and brain development. There was also a cooking demonstration with dairy advocate and chef Rebecca Gordon of Buttermilk Lipstick. Gordon demonstrated a savory sundried tomato and rosemary cheesecake, with the help of Dr. Cathy Wood, president of ALAAP.

Photo: ALAAP president Cathy Wood and Dr. Robert Murray share the health benefits of dairy with pediatricians at the spring meeting in Destin.
"Undeniably Dairy" Campaign Launches in May
On May 15, national and local checkoffs officially rolled out "Undeniably Dairy," the multi-year campaign to build consumer trust in all things dairy. Because many consumers are confused by all the conflicting information about dairy, the dairy community is drawing a line in the sand to proactively and proudly tell dairy's story. This effort aims to bring the industry together as one voice, rekindling consumers' love and trust for dairy. You can participate in this industry-wide campaign by using the Undeniably Dairy logo and hashtag #undeniablydairy on your social channels.
Click here to read an article about the new campaign. 
June Dairy Month Events

June 10: Tuscaloosa Children's Hand- On Museum Dairy Day
6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; 2213 University Boulevard, Tuscaloosa
 
June 10:  Middleton Dairy Farm Open House
10:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.; 21500 Otis Cooper Road, Moss Point, MS