It’s time to say good-bye to the crazy year that 2020 was. Throughout the year, no matter the rollercoaster ride, our dairy farmers stepped up to support their neighbors and took time to entertain and educate students about dairy farming, while also running the farm, caring for cows, and producing nutritious milk for our enjoyment. To say the least, dairy farmers are resilient. Here’s a glimpse of the year in photos.
A Community Connection
Caption: Cars could be seen lined up for miles at the parking lot of Destiny USA Mall, in Syracuse, N.Y., waiting hours for their turn to receive a couple of free gallons of milk that was purchased with support of partners like Dairy Farmers of America and Upstate Niagara Cooperative.
Caption: Local dairy farmers volunteered at many of the milk distribution events to ensure families’ access to wholesome, nutritious milk and to support their local communities.
Caption: American Dairy Association North East worked with USDA-approved vendors, local dairy processors and food banks, who received the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program government-funded grants, to ensure families have access to nutritious milk and dairy food as schools and childcare centers were closed because of the pandemic.
Caption: Dairy farmers, local law enforcement and many other community volunteers joined forces to distribute milk to families in need. To the countless volunteers at all the milk distribution events, we say “thank you!”
Caption: Remember having store limits on milk and other essential items available for purchase? ADA North East’s retail staff helped stock store shelves to keep milk and dairy products readily available, and worked with retailers to remove the “milk limits” signs in stores.
A virtual connection between farms and schools, and each other.
Caption: Local dairy farmers hosted three virtual farm tours this fall geared toward different age groups of students. Within the first three weeks of the tours, nearly 54,000 people — from California to Florida to Alberta, Canada — have taken the opportunity to virtually visit a dairy farm.
Caption: ADA North East and local dairy farmers joined our NFL partners for virtual Fuel Up to Play 60 Kickoff Events to help students make the connection of where the milk — or “fuel” part of the program — comes from.
Caption: Local dairy farmers partnered with local NFL teams to get schools equipment like insulated bags and coolers to serve milk. Each of the seven NFL teams in ADA North East region will give $10,000 Hometown Grants as part of the Fuel Up to Play 60 program to purchase the equipment.
Caption: English Gardner, U.S. Olympic gold medalist sprinter is part of Team Milk, that includes U.S. Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls who are fueled by milk. Gardner joined forces with Abbey Copenhaver, a dairy farmer, registered dietitian and athlete, from Stanley, N.Y., to share some tricks and techniques that high school students can use in their own track and field training.
Caption: Virtual meetings and conferences offered networking opportunities that helped our dairy advocates stay connected and build relationships.
