For more than two decades, a National Dairy Month poster contest has been inspiring creativity and agricultural awareness among students across the Southeast. Organized by The Dairy Alliance, the annual contest blends art with education, inviting young people to explore the importance of dairy in their everyday lives while connecting with the farmers behind their food.
“This contest is about education and inspiration. We want students to understand where their food comes from, the farmers behind those foods and the role that dairy plays in healthy lifestyles,” says Mekenzie Panhans, vice president of corporate and environmental affairs at The Dairy Alliance. “It also brings a different type of audience to agriculture through creativity and art. They don't have to have an agricultural background to be able to participate in this, but it still connects them to their food. So really, it’s giving those students a creative way to learn about dairy and share the value of dairy within their local communities.”
Spanning Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee, the contest is designed to engage a wide range of students while ensuring fair competition and creative flexibility. Open to 4-H participants in grades four through 12, entries are divided into three age groups so younger students aren’t competing directly with older ones. While the contest originally required only printed posters, it has adapted to the digital age by allowing digital submissions in recent years, though all entries must still meet the standard 14-by-22-inch size requirement.
Each year, a new theme encourages students to think creatively about dairy, with entries judged primarily on both originality and how effectively they reflect the theme.
“Dairy Defenders was the theme in 2025. The thought behind it was leaning into something kids are going to relate to. The superhero movies were really big these last couple years, so we chose superheroes,” Panhans says. “We also wanted to recognize the real people behind the dairy industry; meaning farmers, dairy farm employees and those who care for their animals, land and communities every single day just like superheroes.”
Students interpreted the theme in unique ways, from cows wearing superhero capes to farmers depicted as everyday heroes.
“Each kid truly puts their own spin on it. Some of them took the theme and put a superhero cape on a cow and talked about the superpowers of cows,” Panhans says. “Whereas others put the cape on the farmer talking about how the farmer is a superhero because they care for their cows and all the work they do behind the scenes.”
The variety of submissions is one of the most rewarding aspects of the contest.
“I think it's just so cool to see the different creative approaches the kids take, whether it’s the cow or the farmer or unique ways to highlight dairy,” Panhans says. “Some of them put dairy products into their posters such as milk, cheese and yogurt, and then some of them take more of the farm angle by putting in feed, barns, and different cows and calves.”
Once submissions are collected, the judging process varies slightly by state. In Tennessee, each county selects a winner before entries advance to a collaborative judging process between University of Tennessee Extension and The Dairy Alliance to determine the top three statewide, while other states rely on a state-level 4-H specialist to rank entries within each age group. Beyond recognition, students are rewarded with cash prizes for top placements, with final results typically announced in late May or early June to coincide with National Dairy Month celebrations.
A key factor in the contest’s success is the partnership between The Dairy Alliance and state dairy specialists and 4-H extension agents.
“If we didn't have a relationship with those state coordinators, there is no way that this project would have any legs. They are truly the hands and feet of this project,” Panhans says. “We provide the strategic overview, guidance, rules and financial incentive for the project, but they craft all the messaging that gets sent out to the county level.”
What truly sets the contest apart, Panhans believes, is the ability to reach so many students through a collaborative approach.
“If we didn't have those partnerships with the state extension specialists, and they didn't have the relationship with the county agents, and the county agents weren't going above and beyond for their local chapters, none of this would be possible,” Panhans says. “I am proud the dairy industry is outstretching our arms to a new audience. Regardless of any student’s background knowledge in agriculture or dairy specifically, they're able to participate in this project. You truly never know when offering something with artistic capabilities to an elementary or a middle schooler, this might be their first real chance to learn about agriculture.”
With the 2026 theme, Milk’s Got Game, generating plenty of excitement, The Dairy Alliance is encouraging all 4-H students to participate. They welcome submissions from across the region and invite anyone interested to connect with their 4-H agent or reach out directly for more information.
“The Dairy Defender theme was fun to see, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how students interpret Milk's Got Game,” Panhans says. “This theme is unique in that kids could really interpret it in a couple different ways. Whether it's fueling for sports after school or their everyday life to any activity, dance or video game. So I’m excited to see where the theme takes them.”
The Dairy Alliance
In 2025, The Dairy Alliance invested every checkoff dollar with a focus on delivering impact for Southeast dairy farmers while supporting both immediate demand and long-term industry growth. That commitment came to life through strategic, results-driven efforts that connected with consumers, strengthened trust and created new opportunities for dairy across the region.
A standout success in 2025 was the Milk’s Got Game campaign, which generated more than 340 million views across its spring and fall activations. By placing milk at the center of culturally relevant moments, the campaign expanded reach and reinforced dairy’s place in everyday life, helping drive momentum for the category.
Building confidence in dairy also remained a priority, with 1.7 million students engaged through programs like Adopt a Cow and student athlete initiatives. By reaching younger audiences with credible, experience-driven education, these efforts helped shape positive perceptions around dairy’s nutrition, sustainability and role in local communities.
School milk programs delivered measurable impact, with 194 school grants awarded, leading to a 13% increase in milk movement per student per day. These grants supported initiatives such as milk dispensers, smoothie programs, Moo Brew and Strive for 35. Additional funding from partners, including the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Endowment Grant, Virginia State Dairymen’s Association, Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Milk and Georgia Milk Producers, helped fund 69 additional grants, expanding reach and increasing access for students.
At the same time, continued investment in innovation helped position dairy for the future, highlighted by the successful launch of a new dairy product. This milestone reflects ongoing work to expand demand through new products, research and market development, ensuring dairy remains competitive and relevant in a changing landscape.
Together, these efforts reflect a disciplined, forward-looking approach, delivering results farmers can see today while building a stronger foundation for years to come.
