Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper honored dairy farm families with a proclamation celebrating their 75th anniversary of working together through unified dairy promotion to educate consumers and nurture America’s people and planet with world-class care.
The proclamation – which kicked off the 75th anniversary of dairy farmers and their promotional organization, Denver-based Western Dairy Association (WDA) – recognized 180 dairy farms and 220 dairy farm families in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana for working together to promote their products and provide consumers each year with more than 3.2 billion pounds of milk.
More than 420 dairy farm families and business leaders gathered on June 13 at INVESCO Field at Mile High Stadium to benchmark the milestone and farmer contributions to food supply, economic growth, and nutrition, health and wellness education.
“Dairy farm families celebrate 75 years of working together to supply our state’s consumers and communities with an abundant supply of fresh, locally produced milk and dairy products,” he said, referencing the proclamation. “Their innovative dairy farming practices ensure that they maintain an environmentally and socially sustainable way of life for this and future generations.”
Dairy production is one of Colorado’s top 10 agricultural sectors with approximately 115,000 dairy cows in the state. Dairy farmers in the tri-state area, which fund and direct WDA’s promotional efforts, contribute more than $1.5 billion to the economies of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. By providing an abundant supply of fresh milk, farmers contribute to the vitality of fluid milk and dairy food processors including Sinton’s, Robinson’s, Meadow Gold, Royal Crest, Diamond D, Graves, Longmont Dairy, and Leprino Foods. These companies, many which are decades-old and some of which are farmer-owned, provide consumers with hundreds of brand choices, create thousands of jobs, and contribute billions of dollars to Colorado’s economy.
A milk toast to dairy farmers
Three Colorado business leaders joined the Governor and WDA’s dairy farmer board of directors in saluting dairy farm families with a milk toast.
John Salazar, Colorado commissioner of agriculture, tributed farmers for their tireless dedication. “I am truly honored to be among a group people whom I really cherish – people who work the land, toil the soil, and live the dream. And every one of you works sun up to sun set. To you, today I lift my glass,” he said.
Larry Jensen, president of Leprino Foods based in Denver, Colorado, and with operations across the U.S. and Europe, honored dairy farmers for their pioneering spirit and world-class milk production.
Reflecting on the Leprino Food’s humble beginnings 60 years ago, Jensen said that the global cheese company grew from processing 48 milk cans a day at their first plant on 38th Avenue in Denver. Today, the company has nine plants in the U.S. which includes their signature plant in Fort Morgan. Their 10th plant is scheduled to open later this year in Greeley, Colorado.
“This is a great place to make milk. It’s a marvelous place to be from,” he commented. “The dairy business has been very good to us, but we’ve always maintained our roots here in the West. When we had the opportunity to think about where we would put our 10th plant, Greeley was the location of choice. We are proud to be from Colorado. We are proud to be associated with WDA, the Western spirit and western entrepreneurship. The dairy farmers in this part of the country are among the best in the world.”
Joe Ellis, president of the Denver Broncos , thanked dairy farmers and WDA for their partnership with the Denver Broncos. “We participate in a really great program, Fuel Up to Play 60,” he said. “It is geared toward health, wellness and physical fitness for kids. It is a national program and this is one piece of it. Not only is it called fuel up, you (as dairy farmers) really do ‘fuel’ Fuel Up to Play 60 with your participation with us. It is has been great with our elementary and middle schools.”
In addition to contributing to the fresh food supply and state and local economies, since 1936 dairy farmers have collaborated through WDA and its predecessor organizations to advance nutrition education and teach consumers about the nutrient-rich values of milk and dairy products in a healthy, fit lifestyle.
“This is a major milestone of achievement,” said Cindy Haren, WDA’s chief executive officer. “Beyond the milk they produce, this honors dairy farm families for 75 years of investing in their local promotion organization, supporting their communities, and driving nutrition education, science and research that directly benefits local consumers. We honor who they are and what they have done in this region for nearly a century.” PD
—From Western Dairy Association news release
PHOTOS:
TOP: Colorado dairy farmer and chairmen of WDA’s board of directors, Brad Pickert, Sr. observes as Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture John Salazar salutes the regions’ dairy farmers with a milk toast.
MIDDLE: Larry Jensen, president, Leprino Foods; Joe Ellis, president, Denver Broncos; Brad Pickert, Sr., dairy farmer and chairmen, WDA board of directors; John Salazar, Colorado commissioner of agriculture; John Hickenlooper, Colorado governor; and Cindy Haren, CEO, Western Dairy Association; raise a glass to the regions’ dairy industry.
BOTTOM: Dairy farmers Brad and Kathy Pickert of Pickert Dairy LLC, Berthoud, Colorado, with Miles the Denver Bronco’s mascot.
Photos courtesy of Western Dairy Association.
