Farm Credit celebrates dairy month

Dairy Month Promotion Shows Appreciation, Offers Free Ice Cream for a Year

LOUISVILLE, KY (June 1, 2009) – It’s official! Summer is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate than with a delectable scoop of ice cream. As a sign of its commitment to supporting dairy farming in rural America, Farm Credit Services of Mid-America (FCS) is celebrating Dairy Month this June with a promotion to show its appreciation for the over 2,500 Farm Credit member families whose primary operation is a dairy.

Founded in 1937 as “National Milk Month,” the annual Dairy Month tradition focuses on the dairy industry and its many contributions to American society. The celebration was first established to help stabilize dairy demand during peak production, but over time has grown to showcase the greater use of dairy products. Popular events include dairy food demonstrations, distribution of product samples, cattle shows, parades, and “Dairy Princess” contests with coronation ceremonies.

This year, Farm Credit is proud to celebrate Dairy Month with a unique promotion designed to raise awareness for dairy farmers and their many contributions to society. The “Every Day is Sundae” promotion offers Farm Credit members a chance to win free $1,000 worth of ice cream. Farm Credit members and others in the community can register at any of the 92 Farm Credit Services office for their chance to win. Another way to win is to go online to www.e-farmcredit.com and register for a chance to win $500 in free ice cream to be given away at the end of June. All registrations must be received by June 26, 2009.

This promotion is just one way Farm Credit hopes to draw attention to the achievements of dairy farmers in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, and Ohio, as well as the way the dairy industry is evolving. “Every farmer is important,” says Tom Schlenker, executive vice president with Farm Credit. “Most people think the dairy products they consume come from the grocery—but it really comes from a farmer. Farmers are some of the hardest working people in America. They’re just like doctors—they’re on call 24 hours a day.”

“Dairy trends are changing. While there are large dairies - some with as many as 24,000 cows - family-run dairies are just as important. They experience the same rising fuel costs that are making it harder and more expensive to operate. Feed costs are up and they’re the most critical component of the average dairy farmer’s budget. So Farm Credit’s support of dairy farmers in our region—and a general awareness of their work and what they’re up against—comes at a critical time.”

The ‘Every Day is Sundae’ promotion is fun and light-hearted, but it’s designed to call attention to our dairy farmers and all the good things they bring to our tabletop—milk, cheese, ice cream, butter, and more. “The idea behind this promotion is to lead consumers to buy more dairy products and support the people who make them possible,” says Schlenker.

If you would like to register for the “Every Day is Sundae” promotion, visit your local FCS office before June 26, 2009 and register in person, or go online to www.e-farmcredit.com to register for the internet promotion.

About Farm Credit Services of Mid-America

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is a $15 billion financial services cooperative serving over 85,000 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including real estate, operating equipment, and housing and related services such as crop and life insurance and vehicle, equipment, and building leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.